The Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club’s $18,000 Matthews Petroleum Mount Gambier Pacing Gold Cup was run and won by Jackie Barker aboard Eastbro Chrissy trained by Rebecca East.
The four year old mare finished second in her heat but was not highly favoured due to her back row draw.
Barker sent Eastbro Chrissy out three wide with two laps to go while fan favourite Jensville driven by third generation reinsman Jayson Finnis led the pack on Saturday night.
Barker continued to grind away to take the lead at the top of the home straight with Michaywey issuing a strong challenge but in a thrilling finish, Eastbro Chrissy crossed the line half a head in front of Michaywey with Jensville claiming third a metre behind.
East also trained last year’s gold cup winner Hez All Rock which was driven by Mark Phillips and made history on Saturday as Eastbro Chrissy, a third generation gold cup winner, was her third win of the night.
Michael Bellman claimed his 2000th win when he took out the Community Bank Mount Gambier and District Pace with She Will Wantano, trained and owned by East while the Ary Sportsbar and Bistro Pace winning horse Famous Label was also trained by East.
Phillips won the Blue Lake Classic driving Stormy Woods and the Canny Ever Mount Gambier Country Trotters Cup on Stockman Peter, with both horses trained by Steven Fennell.
The Ladbrokes Mount Gambier Country Pacing Cup was won by driver and trainer Matthew Craven on Young Bluey.
East told harness.org.au that “it was a great win”.
“I was pretty confident before the race as she has been going well, it was just whether she could get the distance,” she said.
“In the end she got the trip really well and came away with the win.
“She got a little keen in the middle stages, but it was not a worry in the end. Jackie put in a 10 out of 10 drive and made all the right moves.
“She’s gone straight to a paddock now and will have about six weeks off.
“She has done a really good job this preparation and I think she can go further, so a break will do her good.”
The cup meet was a great success, with a record field for the Mount Gambier Pony Trots Gold Cup which featured six races and attracted 23 competitors, including nine locals.
Adelaide’s Charli Brown won both Race 1 sponsored by Drury Racing Stables on Smokin Hot and Race 2 sponsored by Diverse Transport Fabrication on Lil Miss Piggy.
Meanwhile, Yahl’s Lottie Phillips drove All About Alfie to claim Race 3 sponsored by Eastbro Lodge.
“There was a bit of a picnic atmosphere for them, they were all sitting around with all their ponies and deck chairs and a lot of them camped the night,” Mount Gambier Harness Racing Club president Neil Shepherd said.
There was fun for all ages with facepainting for the kids, Dave Blackett performing and a variety of catering facilities.
The Gold Cup Eve Calcutta and 2024 presentations at the Mount Gambier Community RSL on Friday night attracted a good crowd.
On Friday evening, Melanie Kittle-Seal interviewed special guest Paul Campbell from ‘Campbell’s Comments’ while Campbell took the microphone back on Saturday to conduct interviews throughout the night.
At the Horse of the Year Awards on Friday, Barker won the Leading Driver, Bec East won the Leading Trainer, Horse of the Year was Eastbro Chrissy, Leading 3yo was Eastbro Cozzy and Leading Horse – Most Improved 4yo and Older was Billees Jet.
