Horse Racing
10 June, 2025
Drivers' championship up for grabs
The Horsham Harness Racing Club will stage the 35th edition of the prestigious Decron Noel Smith Memorial Invitation Drivers Championship at the Racing Centre on Wednesday, June 11.
Smith was a long-serving committee member, life member, past president, and zone delegate of the Horsham Harness Racing Club.
His enormous contribution to the Victorian harness racing industry – both locally and more widely saw him honoured with a Distinguished Service Medal by Harness Racing Victoria.
"Currently, we extend our invitations to the top drivers from the previous season's metropolitan premiership," said Club CEO Jo Cross.
"We'll have a few faces missing on Wednesday afternoon. James Herbertson hasn't returned from his working holiday in the USA and Sweden, David Moran is suspended, Kate Gath is unavailable, and sadly, we have recently lost the great Greg Sugars."
The ten invitees, Chris Alford, Jackie Barker, Glen Craven, Matt Craven, Jason Lee, Jack Laugher, Jordan Leedham, Kerryn Manning, Michael Stanley and Chris Svanosio, will contest five races at Horsham with the horses all randomly allocated.
This year also marks the 15th Industry Participants Appreciation Day, with the club paying tribute to the owners, trainers, drivers and stablehands who make the meeting possible.
"There'll be plenty of lucky draws and giveaways on race day," Cross said.
"It's our way of saying thank you to the people who support the club and who keep the industry running."
Product and merchandise prizes have been kindly donated by Decron Horse Care, Carbine Chemicals, Zilco, Worlds Best Hoof Oil, Oringi Protection Wear, Flyveils by Design, Mustad Australia, Hyland Harness Colours, Claire Weston Photography, Hygain, Melton Entertainment Park, Virbac Australia, the Victorian Harness Racing Trainers and Drivers Association, and Harness Racing Victoria.
The eight-event card of harness action kicks off with free entry through the West Side Bistro or Sports Bar, with both in operation.