Bucking the big odds

BRILLIANT local pacing mare Jazzam faces a massive hoodoo going into Sunday’s $25,000 Warragul Pacing Cup.
History says she can’t win it, despite her dominant victory in last year’s event. But no horse has won two Warragul Pacing Cups since the race was first held in 1955.
Nine horses have won the race and finished in the minor placings in another year, while 14 pacers have finished in the top three placings more than once in the time-honoured event.
Jazzam, a multiple feature race winner, returned to the track recently after several months on the sidelines when she was part of the embryo transfer program.
Specialists at the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital successfully implanted an embryo from Jazzam into a surrogate mare due to foal in a few months.
This revolutionary procedure allows good-quality mares such as Jazzam, who is trained by Debbie Quinlan, to continue racing, rather than face an early end to their careers to start a breeding program.
Cranbourne pacer Garnet River could be an intriguing runner if trainer Hugh Cathels goes ahead with plans. Local reinsman Glenn Hunter would drive Garnet River, who had his first race start at the same meeting three years ago.
Garnet River has raced consistently against the best of his age at two, three and four, and would be a chance if he steps away from the standing start.
Many of the state’s leading stables are expected to also have horses set for Sunday’s event.
Off the track Fashions on the Field – after a two-year break – makes a return with students from GippsTAFE organising the contest as part of their practical studies.
The students have arranged the support of several local businesses, who are sponsoring prizes.
Entries will be taken for the best dressed male, female and mini (under 12) and the best dressed couple.
The judge is local community radio announcer Vicky Arrigo, who presents her popular “Mixen with the Vixen” program on 103.1 3BBR-FM every second Saturday.
One lucky punter will win a TV valued at $1000 in the club’s major raffle.
TAB and bookmaker betting will be available on all local and interstate races, and a Punters Club will also operate.
Admission to the Cup is just $10 for adults, and $5 for pensioners. Children under 18 are admitted free.