The Marburg Harness Racing Association hopes to repeat the popular Redwood harness racing meeting in Victoria when they stage a full trotting program this Sunday in honor of a club legend.
The South East Queensland club will showcase the Sunshine State’s square gaiters at a race meeting exclusively for trotters.
The meeting will take place on ‘Harriott Day’ for 2025, in honor of the memory of the late Graham Harriott.
The respected Harriott was a former chairman of the Marburg Harness Racing Association before his sudden death in 2012 while fielding a strong team of horses.
Since Harriott’s death, the Marburg club has held an annual gathering to honor his memory and current Marburg club boss Shaun Gillespie was keen to take this year to another level with a nod to the former harness man’s love of trotters.
“He is one of the people who have worked to get Queensland’s trotters running again,” Gillespie said.
“He always went to Redwood Day in Victoria every year for their All Trotters Day.
“Graham was a very good friend of mine and we thought it would be a mark of respect to make this day an all trotters day for him, in honor of a former chairman of the club.
“He was a huge trotting man that we pay respect to as a reminder of him.”
After Graham’s death, his widow Ann-Maree remained closely involved with the Marburg club.
Graham trained for more than 30 years and had a number of different stints as president at Marburg.
The annual Redwood Classic program in Victoria, organized by the Maryborough Harness Racing Club, is one of the most popular events on the calendar and includes a special meeting for trotters.
Although the Marburg concept is still in its infancy, the club management is hopeful that it will only grow after the 2025 edition.
“If a day like this is a success, it can have a positive impact on the sector in the long term,” said Gillespie.
“It could boost the industry in Queensland and the trotting industry because it is growing so fast here.
“This could give it new impetus.
“We may not be able to get all the top trotters on Sunday, but hopefully we can get a lot of them.”
Gillespie has spoken to representatives from leading stables such as Grant Dixon and Shane Graham, who are keen to support the square gait show.
Redcliffe trainer Greg Franklin takes Five Oclock Gerry to Marburg for the occasion.
The gelding has not been at the races since mid-June but had a good trial at Albion Park earlier this month ahead of Sunday’s assignment.
“We’re going to support it,” Franklin said.
“It is a good concept and we are happy to support it.
“I hope the day will be a success.”
Mufasa Metro – who finished second at Albion Park on Saturday evening behind multiple Group 1 champions Not As Promised – will also start in Marburg on Sunday.
Mufasa Metro has raced at group level throughout its career, with owner Mark Gurry looking forward to supporting the All Trotters initiative.
President Gillespie hopes to attract 2,000 people to Marburg for their special meeting.
The Marburg Harness Racing Association is also giving away a new car on Sunday.
Anyone who goes through the gate and pays the $10 entry fee will be entered into the drawing to win a 2025 Kia Picanto.
The club has also organized a number of incentives for participants to also go to the track.
The day’s lead trainer will receive a brand new sulky worth $4,500, while three stallion service fees will be offered by Yabby Dam Farms in Victoria.
“We’ve done a lot to attract everyone and we just hope we’ve done enough to get people there,” Gillespie said.
The highlights of the card are the $11,999 Graham Harriott Memorial Handicap and the $11,899 trotters free for all races, while all other races on the card offer prize money of almost $9,000.
Through Jordaan Gerrans for Racing Queensland
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