3 minute read
Last night at Thoroughbred Park, the 12 charity and community partners for the Canberra Community Chest were paired with their equine charge for Saturday’s $200,000 quality handicap.
In a Black-Tie affair, representatives from each charity and community partner drew their runner to complete the picture ahead of Sunday's exciting race.
The Draw is:
| Partner | # | Horse Name | Trainer |
| Win the Day Charity | 1 | CHORLTON LANE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher |
| Project Independence Ltd | 2 | ZOOLOGY (GB) | Ciaron Maher |
| Cystic Fibrosis ACT Association | 3 | THE PRODIGAL SON | Craig Widdison |
| Respite Care for Queanbeyan Inc. | 4 | SUPER HELPFUL | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones |
| Lions Youth Haven | 5 | BATTLETON | Bjorn Baker |
| Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief | 6 | ELETTRICA (NZ) | Richard & Will Freedman |
| Canberra Blind Society Inc. | 7 | I'MINTOWIN (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bottz |
| Horse Aid Ltd | 8 | OUR LAST CASH | Donna Scott |
| Bosom Buddies ACT Inc. | 9 | 'VE BEEN TRYIN' | Matthew Kelle |
| Daniela Dwyer Foundation | 10 | BIANCO VILANO | Ron Stubbs |
| Pegasus Riding for the Disabled ACT | 11 | BELLEISTIC KIDS | Barbara Joseph, Paul & Matt Jones |
| Equine Pathways Australia Limited | 12 | MOSGOLD | Tash Burleigh |
In its second edition, Canberra Racing Club CEO Darren Pearce said he was delighted with the field for the Community Chest, drawing runners from Canberra, Regional NSW, Sydney and Victoria.
"The race is really building momentum with the racing industry and the community" Pearce said.
"We have assembled a wonderful collective of Charity and Community organisations and a field that includes runners from some of Australia's top stables including Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Ciaron Maher, Bjorn Baker and Richard and Will Freedman who will battle it out with some of the best horses from our local stables".
"The plan is for the Canberra Community Chest to grow to be our Spring feature, similar to the role that the Black Opal plays in the Autumn and in year two it's building tremendous momentum."
"What makes us even prouder is the fact it's a race with purpose as we support 12 local heroes do more for our community through the $50,000 Community Chest"
The Charity and Community Partner lucky enough to draw the winning horse will receive $25,000 for their cause, and every charity will receive at least $1,000.
Paul Jones, co-trainer of Belleistic Kids and Super Helpful with Barbara Joseph & Matt Jones is thrilled to see his equine superstars being paired up with equally super organisations for this year's Community Chest.
"As far as the horses go, we're very happy that they're supporting Respite Care for Queanbeyan and Pegasus, it's good to have them on board." Jones said. "It gives them both a strong chance in the race".
Super Helpful, the son of Super One and last year's Canberra Community Chest winning horse is set to have another chance at victory in this year's race, and Jones believes he is in good shape to do so.
"He's ready to peak. We're very very happy with him especially after drawing that barrier. He's going to give the race an almighty shake, we'd love to go back-to-back" Jones said.
In keeping with the Community theme and supported by our race day partner Affinity Electrical Technologies, entry is FREE at Thoroughbred Park on Sunday and gates will open at midday. There is plenty of entertainment on offer with Kids and Family Fashions in the Field, a jumping castle, face painting, the TAB Bucking Bronco, roving musicians and the award-winning hospitality of Thoroughbred Park. The first race is at 1.35 PM and the Community Chest will be run at 4.27pm.