“She does battle against Greg Sugars, Chris Alford, Nathan Jack, James Herbertson, David Moran, Chris Svanosio, Jack Laugher, Jason Lee and Glen Craven in a five round battle this year.
“The invitees really enjoy the competitive aspect of the day, with bragging rights up for grabs, but we also make a big effort for all industry participants who have a starter at the meeting.”
Three of the five ratings-exempt heats should be especially attractive for connections of lower-rated horses. These include a $6000 up to NR45 pace selected from the bottom upwards, a $6000 pace for up to NR49 under the same conditions and the same again for a $6000 NR up-to-49 trot.
The two other ratings-exempt heats, for more highly-assessed pacers, are a $9000 NR 57-65 and $8000 NR 52-56.
Rounding out Horsham’s program are a $7000 three-year-old maiden, $7000 two-year-old, $6000 trotters’ handicap and a $7000 standby for two and three-year-olds.
“This is the sixth year of Decron as naming rights sponsor of the Noel Smith Memorial Horsham Invitation,” Lewis said.
“Merv Butterworth will present the perpetual shield to the winner, along with Decron Horse Care product and merchandise showbags to the winning trainers of each heat.
“Carbine Chemicals was on board for our very first Horsham Invitation in 1990. Their support has continued every year since, with Carbine Chemicals product for trainers of placegetters in every race on the card thanks to Jensen Baker.”
The 2024 field includes several young bloods along with veteran horseman Chris Alford, who first competed in the 1993 series. It was an inauspicious debut by the then 21-year-old reinsman with a fourth, fall and seventh in the three heats, but he returned to take the crown in 1994 and again in 2011 and 2017.
Along with Tormey, other past winners in Monday afternoon’s line-up are Sugars, 2015, Lee, 2021 and Laugher, 2022.
However, Daryl Douglas and the late Gavin Lang won four Horsham titles each – Douglas in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2004, and Lang in 1991, 1992, 1996 and 2014 and are still the ones they all have to catch.
Racing at Stawell
Stawell Harness Racing Club staged a successful nine event card on Thursday last week and local duo Toby Ainsworth and Ada Massa made the winner’s circle when their four-year-old gelding Robert John led throughout in the Halls Gap Maiden Trot.
It was ‘lucky start 13’ for the well-
backed son of Aldebaran Eagle USA, after posting only two fourth placings from his first dozen tries.
Armstrong trainer Leroy O’Brien’s small team is never far away and such was the case at Stawell when Rockin Gemma, with Jason Lee aboard, strolled to a 15- metre victory in the E-Cycle Solutions three-year-old pace.
Owner Kirsty Peacock’s beautifully bred filly looks set to add plenty to her record four wins and two minors from 13 starts.
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