Outstanding on-track performances and lifetimes of off-track dedication will be celebrated on Sunday June 23, when the Victorian Harness Racing Awards are at Melton Entertainment Park.
Hosted by TrotsVision presenter Ryan Phelan, the night promises exceptional dining, live entertainment and the chance to savior our much-loved sport, including the presentation of the Gordon Rothacker Medal and Victorian Horse of the Year.
HRV CEO Matt Isaacs said the night would again be an important celebration of the best of harness racing.
"It's always vital that we salute not only the champions of racing but those who have given so much to this great sport for so long," Isaacs said.
"The Gordon Rothacker Medal, the Pearl Kelly Award, the Caduceus Living Legend and the Lang Distinguished Services Award are the pre-eminent recognition in our sport and with honour rolls second to none.
"To be able to welcome in the newest inductees as well as celebrate those horses and their connections who were without peer will be a night not to be missed, and it's great to be back at the state's home of harness racing – Melton – to usher in the winners."
The occasion will be held on a race-free day to enable all connections, participants and officials to join in the celebration.
Invitations for award nominees and ticket sales will be made available in late April, ensuring a memorable gathering of the brightest stars and devoted supporters of harness racing.
Here are the nominees for the Victorian Horse of the Year categories are:
Pacers:
Two-year-old colt/gelding: Stormryder, Timmy Rictor, War Dan Buddy
Two-year-old filly: Draw A Dream, Eye Believe, Very Pretty
Three-year-old colt/gelding: Perfect Class, The Lost Storm, Petracca
Three-year-old filly: Major Delight, Sahara Breeze, Sweet Bella
Four-year-old entire/gelding: Captain Ravishing, Catch A Wave, Wheres The Gold
Four-year-old mare: Amore Vita, Encipher, Rakero Rebel
Aged entire/gelding: Act Now, Better Eclipse, Honolua Bay
Aged mare: Ladies In Red, Sew What, Tough Tilly
Trotters:
Two-year-old colt/gelding: Kyvalley Maven, Thunda Struck, Val Thorens
Two-year-old filly: Nordic Reign, No Telling Heather, Violet Stanford
Three-year-old colt/gelding: Prince Of Rock, Gotfeelingsyouknow, The Locomotive
Three-year-old filly: Shesawish, Rockinwithattitude, Shes Ruby Roo
Four-year-old entire/gelding: Arcee Phoenix, Plymouth Chubb, Aroha Koe
Four-year-old mare: Revelstoke, Aldebaran Keepa, Gardena Ronda
Aged entire/gelding: Just Believe, Mufasa Metro, Aldebaran Zeus
Aged trotting mare: Im Ready Jet, Queen Elida, Sleepee
The following awards will be also presented on the night:
Gordon Rothacker Medal
Victorian Horse of the Year
Caduceus Living Legend
Lang Distinguished Services Awards
Pearl Kelly Award
Victorian Trainer of The Year
Taylors Metropolitan Trainer of The Year
Garrards Victorian Driver of The Year
Metropolitan Driver of the Year
Victorian Concession / Young Driver of the Year
Aldebaran Park Victorian Trotting Broodmare of the Year
Benstud Standardbreds Victorian Pacing Broodmare of the Year
Woodlands Stud Victorian Breeder of the Year
Frank Ryan Club Employee of The Year Award
Paul James Volunteer of The Year Award
Club of The Year Award
