Parkes Harness Racing Club (PHRC) ended the year 2016 with a bang on December 31st, Parkes Harness Racing Club conducted its New Year's Eve meeting as part of the Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) Carnival of Cups meeting. In each harness racing season, every club in Harness Racing New South Wales conducts a meeting for Carnival of Cups.
As feature entertainment for the patrons, and also to give back to and engage the community, Parkes Harness Racing Club decided to continue the Fireworks Display at the end of the last race to celebrate the year that was, and to welcome the new year.
The PHRC New Year's Eve conducted an 8-race meeting.
Amanda Turnbull won 3 of 8. First win was the R2 COL FLETCHER FORD pace driving Rainbow On Fire, a half head win against the favourite Lucy Lamb driven by Mat Rue. Amanda's second win was the R3 TERRY BROTHERS CARPET COURT pace. She drove to finish line driving the favourite Written In Red, with a head to head battle agains Oh I Am The One, who was driven by Josh Turnbull. And finally, her 3rd win for the meeting was with Pump The Brakes at R6 PARKES LEAGUES CLUB Golden Bar 3yo pace, one of 2 biggest race for the meeting. This was the 2nd win of Pump The Brakes out of his 3 starts - the other one he finished 2nd.
IN PHOTO: Parkes Harness Racing Club December 31, 2016 New Year's Eve Carnival Of Cups Meeting. Ingrid Stephenson from Parkes Leagues Club (left), Jenny Turnbull owner of Pump The Brakes (middle), and Amanda Turnbull driver of Pump The Brakes (right).
Steve Turnbull finished first on R1 PARKES HARNESS RACING CLUB Life Members pace driving the favourite Ponte Milvio with a winning margin of 10m.
IN PHOTO: Parkes Harness Racing Club December 31, 2016 New Year's Eve Carnival Of Cups Meeting. Steve Turnbull with the members of Parkes Harness Racing Club Life Members.
Nic Dewar won the R4 MEDLYNS/CASTROL GIG Series Final driving Concertina to her first win this season. It was a neck-to-neck battle to the end with Sunscreen driven by Tom Pay. The winning trainer won himself a training gig sponsored by Medlyns/Castrol here in Parkes racing.
IN PHOTO: Parkes Harness Racing Club December 31, 2016 New Year's Eve Carnival Of Cups Meeting. From Left to Right: Michael Prest (Trainer), Nic Dewar (Driver), Kevin Medlyn (Sponsor/Medlyn's Castrol), and Blake Medlyn (Sponsor/Medlyn's Castrol).
Parkes local and PHRC committeeman Steve Dowton won the R5 LANGLANDS HANLON sprint driving Real Intentions. It was a late drive for Dowton, as Steve Turnbull was supposed to drive Real Intentions but was unable to take the drive due to an injury.
IN PHOTO: Parkes Harness Racing Club December 31, 2016 New Year's Eve Carnival Of Cups Meeting Race5 winning driver, Steve Dowton
Murray Sullivan won the R7 LACHLAN VALLEY VETERINARY CLINIC Local Pace. A good win for Sullivan driving Sonny Orlando to first win this season.
And finally, the last race for the night has been won by Mat Rue driving Williewa Bullet, with the favourite for the race Big Heart finishing 2nd.
Forty five minutes after the last race, fireworks display commenced as the highlight of the Parkes Harness Racing Club's Carnival of Cups 2016. The executive committee wanted to give back to community (be it Parkes Shire and/or Harness Racing Industry) for its support all through out the year.
Parkes Harness Racing Club committee men and women would like to express its gratitude to patrons who attended the New Year's Eve Carnival of Cups meeting. And as early as now, watch out for this year's 2017 New Year's Eve, as we plan for a bigger and bolder Parkes Harness Carnival Of Cups 2017 meeting.