Bitter-sweet moment as club hosts last meeting

SUNDAY’S meeting will be a bitter-sweet moment for the Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club and local supporters.

Set to host a stellar program, including the Pacing and Trotting Cups, the meeting also doubles as the club’s last at the venue.

Operating at the site since 1938, the club recently sold the land to developers and is in the process of developing a “multifunction sporting complex”.

Proposals for the complex include camping and recreational vehicle facilities.

“The Alexandrina Council approached the club many years ago to relocate and develop the current site to industrial land,” club President Max Beasley said.

“We were able to attract a very good price for the land, in fact, it was the second highest land sale in the town’s history.

“We are working with the council and have been for some time to develop a sporting complex with proposed camping and RV site inclusive with the new track.

“Wayne Edgeloe has provided the club with layouts and costings etc for the track, which will be slightly bigger than Melton, possibly 1080 metres.

“It is very similar to the proposed track for Devonport that Wayne designed.”

After purchasing the land in May 1938, the club conducted its maiden meeting on October 12, with Silver Blonde the first entry into the winners’ circle.

Beginning from scratch, Silver Blonde covered the 11-furlong trip in 4:24.35 as Red Van and Girletle filled the placings.

When reporting on the day, the Southern Argus noted “A special train from Adelaide was well patronised. Attendance far exceeded expectations and gate takings were regarded as highly satisfactory”.

Given the strong fields and significance of the meeting, the club is hopeful the farewell will far exceed expectations just as the Grand Opening did.

“We’d love to see a big crowd to farewell the track,” Beasley said. “Thankfully the weather will back off a bit on what it has been this week, with a predicted 23 degrees, which is perfect for the family to have a day out.”