Social club celebrating 30-year anniversary

WHILE toying with the idea of starting an official social club, the original members were given a colourful proposal for its name.

Typical of his quick wit and sense of humour, the late Bob Cain suggested “old boilers club”…which, for some strange reason, was rejected!

Instead the group felt the choice was obvious – Angelique Club – in honour of the champion mare.

Trained by Gordan Rothacker, while bred and owned by his wife Jean, Angelique held the mantle as Victoria’s premier pacing mare during the 1960s.

Retired at the age of nine, Angelique registered 45 wins and 50 placings from 138 starts for just on $70,000 in earnings.

PEARL KELLY

Included in her wins are the Victoria Oaks, the Lady Brooks Cup (twice), SA Trotting Club Cup, two heats of the 1964 Inter Dominion (runner-up to Minuteman in the Final) and 21 Free-For-Alls.

Founded by Judy Cain, Jean Woods, Judy Rothacker and Gaye Donnelley, the club – which has been instrumental in highlighting the input women have in harness racing – is celebrating its 30-year anniversary this weekend.

Beginning at Moonee Valley before the move to Tabcorp Park Melton, the group sponsors the Angelique Club Cup each season, along with various social events.

On Saturday night, the club will host a special gathering in the Scotch Notch Café as well as the inaugural running of The Pearl Final at Melton for restricted class mares.

The $20,000 feature is named in honour of Pearl Kelly, who in 1916, became Australia’s first licensed reinswoman and who once finished third in the Melbourne drivers’ premiership.

Winner of the Wangaratta-based heat, City Rockstar shapes as the one to beat after drawing well in barrier two for trainer Luke Tabone.

“She had three weeks between her previous run and the heat as we had this series in mind for her and she has come through her heat really well,” Tabone said. “I’m very happy with the draw as she has good great speed and we will be putting it to use from there.

“Kimcando sat outside her in the heat when first-up from a spell, so on that run, I count her as the one to beat as she will be a fitter in the Final.”