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Only heard it on SKY, but I didn't realise that Darren Bilingers daughter was tragically killed in a road accident in May. Apparently her favourite horse was Come On Frank, and he just won the 3yo Southern Cross C&G Final.
Wouldn't know Darren from a bar of soap, but gee I am happy for him to win that race.
Bloody awful that kind of stuff. Great to see a massive salute across the line. Hard to fathom what that win must have meant to them.
Yep a real good feel good story was so happy when i heard it as well congratulation's to the Billinger's
I caught up with the Billinger family earlier this year, as i had actually purchased the dam of Come on Frank from them two years ago
They are absolutely wonderful people and for them to win this race tonight means so much to them. Ever since the tragic accident, this was something they concentrated so much of their efforts to. For it to come to fruition, is a sign from above.
Feelgood story of the year for sure.
Big softie, teared up big time watching Frank cross the line, having followed the story for a while now. He is very popular on facebook and has a huge following. Hilton Donaldsons story on In The Gig the other night was superb. Congratulations to all the connections.
If harness racing administrators are serious about expanding the fan base of the sport, they need look no further than this story. It reaches across all types of media and into audiences that wouldn't even know harness racing existed. They need to get a story like this out into mainstream media and promote the game as something more than a gambling option. Its not pie in the sky stuff, it is an opportunity to be grabbed. A story like this could end up in a mag like Thats Life (not my cup of tea) which has a huge readership and may entice some folk curious enough to the track for a look. Gimmicky stuff doesn't work in the long run, but a REAL product will stand the test of time.
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Originally Posted by broncobrad
Gday Brad. There wasn't a dry eye in the place when their other daughter did the acceptance speech last night. She did a wonderful job.
Totally agree with your comments. Just dropped in on a harness racing follower who knew nothing of the story. Doesn't watch In The Gig or read the industry mags but follows the racing. Couldn't believe they hadn't heard about it.
The fairytale continues for Come On Frank and his "family" with another big win today at Menangle in 1.52.3 after the leaders went crazy in a 25 something first qtr. Darren has got his charge flying at the moment. Will say it again, these are the moments that make you proud to be a fan of harness racing.
wonderful people and Frank is taking them on a fantastic journey. Long may it continue...