With steady rain falling for the majority of the afternoon it was decided earlier that, following numerous positive track inspections, the meeting would go ahead as planned.

Racing opened with a C1/C2 and claimers class event over 2100 metres with the Brian Smith trained Mammals Flash being sent out a $2.10 favourite in the ten horse field.

Unfortunately for the Wagga mentor Leeton trainer had different ideas with Our Priddy Maid ($20.40) coming from last at the bell under some positive driving by Peter McCrae who circled the field from the four hundred to record a convincing 5½ metre win over Victoria Pass ($6.60) who had set the pace throughout with Mammals Flash finishing ½ neck further back.

The mile rating of 2:02.1 was a creditable start to the night’s meeting with no end in sight from the constant downpour. 

The second race on the shortened programme, proved to be the start of a profitable night for Menangle Park trainer James Ponsonby when the $3,000 claimer Place Your Bet ($3.80) was victorious over the aptly named Storm burst ($7.50) for Blake Jones and Ellen Bartley while the more favoured Bathurst trained War Dan Apollo ($2.60) failed to take advantage of the one out sit position just missing out on the winners prize.

The margins of head by ½ head kept the judges busy with light rain still falling, last weeks winner Shirvanee had the perfect trail but possibly lacked racing room over the final stages of the race that produced a 2:03.8 mile rate.

With visibility for drivers somewhat restricted, Peter McCrae, who was looking for his second win on the night in race three, decided that the best place to be in a race was in front.

That being the case he gave Wongalea Bingo every opportunity to do just that and it certainly paid dividend. The seven year old Artesian gelding, who started at the juicy odds of $7.40, began well from gate six and was able to holdout  Cullectomatic($5.60) and Allnight Raid (17.50) in another close finish and a respectable mile rating of 2:04.6. under the circumstances.

James Ponsonby then decided he too would be in line for a winning double with his Art Major gelding Majors Blue Jeans ($2.40) ensuring his rather damp trip down the Hume Highway was not in vein.

Leading at the bell following a 38.2 lead time, the quarters were respectable in the small field and with the favourite Bryce Cooper at the tail of the field, the Menangle mentor was able to defeat Drive The Dream ($8.00) and His A Tease ($21.60) in comfortable style.

As the rain intensified, runners in race five went straight onto the track and prepared for race five with the Bathurst trained Written In Style ($3.10) handed the baton and the five year year did not disappoint his backers when he arrived just in time to defeat the early pacemaker So Much Joy ($24.20) and second favourite Chickies Boy ($4.00) in what was another exciting race.

Mother natures little daughter, Mothers Angel ($4.20) decided that this could be the opportunity to win her second race in her short career and put her best foot forward in winning what was going to be the final race of the night, race six.

With Thats Ideal sent out a short priced $1.70 favourite, driver Mat Rue made sure that Mothers Angel kept the pressure on from the start with a first quarter of 29.7 following a slick 6.9 lead time and a mile rating of 2:02.1 in shocking conditions to defeat Speedie McCardle ($6.60) and Pretty Foxy ($19.40) with the favourite Thats Ideal finishing fourth.

Immediately following race six the heavens opened and unfortunately the meeting was brought to an abrupt end.

The Young club will race again on Friday night October 7, hopefully with much better Spring weather.  

IT was a huge success last year so the Parkes Harness Racing Club have big things planned for their two major meetings over the New Year period.

For the New Years Eve meeting PHRC is staging a spectacular fireworks display provided by Steve Lee.

Meanwhile, at the Elvis at the Trots meeting on January 11, PHRC will again be giving away a $5000 travel voucher to one lucky patron who attends the meeting.

Both of these promotions were a huge success last year so the Club has decided that they should again give back to the patrons for all their support.

The Parkes Elvis Festival is a huge annual event on the Parkes Calendar with up to 20,000 people attending the festivities over the week long period.

To help raise funds for these two events PHRC is holding a Stallion Service Tender which concludes on the September 19, 2016.

The Stallion Services that the PHRC has for tender are:

MODERN ART (EMPIRE STALLIONS)

GRINFROMEARTOEAR  (ALABAR)

FOR A REASON (YIRRIBEE STUD)

MAFFIOSO  (CLARINDA PARK)

MAJOR BRONSKI (MORLEY PARK)

The PHRC would like to thank their generous sponsors and also encourage all PHRC patrons to support the high quality stallions that our sponsors have to offer.

For more information visit the PHRC website http://www.parkesharness.org.au/tender2016