Pony Trots Blossom With Big Fields at Busselton
Pony Trot race 1 at Busselton. Photo Credit- Pacepix
Busselton boasted a whopping field of 11 ponies on Friday night, with the high number said to be a record for the small South West group.
The first race of the night, sponsored by Shirley Clarke, who donates her time in the numbers room at Busselton, went the way of Lucas Suvaljko and Limehill Amabel who rocketed home from the back marker handicap to win the opener.
“What really impressed us is how the kids drive in the big fields,
“They have really stepped up and it teaches them to sometimes think outside the square.” Simone Strachan said
Race two on the program, sponsored by Chris Feast/Feats Country Farms saw the front markers fight it out at the finish, with the youngest member of the group Maisie Reeves (7) take a narrow victory on her pony She’s A Lucky Pepper ahead of Im The Mighty Middy for Ruby Woodworth, with this racing season the first for both girls.
“We are really grateful with the bunch of kids we have got that they are all so encouraging of one another and are happy for their friends when they win,
“Also, a lot of them have made new and lasting friendships, which we think is so important.”
South West Pony Trots President Simone Strachan is hopeful numbers will continue to rise going into next season, with the group losing Alex Russell, who turns 16 this year, officially aging out of pony trots after a successful few years in the cart behind his families ponies Im The Mighty Gem and Let Loose The Goose, who he alternates driving each meeting with his sister Ruby.
Alex Russell won the Pony Trots WA Pacing Cup in November 2023 at Gloucester Park when his fast-class pony Im The Mighty Gem was triumphant in the feature pony trot race.
Alex made his debut on the 22nd of January 2021, on Busselton Cup night, and after three years of Pony Trots, now looks forward to becoming a reinsman.
“He cant wait to drive the big horses and win a Busselton Cup, which he calls the Russell’s Curse, because we have come close but never got a win.” Ricky Russell said.
Oliver Schmook, the grandson of Daryl Miller made his debut on Friday night, becoming the fourth generation of ‘Miller’ to enter the industry.
Nine kids and ponies will go to battle this coming Friday night, January 19 in the Pony Trots Busselton Cup, winding up another successful five meetings at the seasonal racetrack.
If you are wanting to get involved, head to the South West Pony Trots page for all their information and updates. Official trials for next season commence in October 2024.
Pony Trots in WA is run entirely through sponsorship, if you would like to sponsor, please contact Simone Strachan through the South West Pony Trots WA facebook page.
Ashleigh Paikos