Dalton Park Racecourse will play host to some of the best harness racing talent in the country this coming Tuesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The competition heats will begin the festivities, with those in a podium position returning on Saturday night for the finals.
Despite the race coinciding with the Melbourne Cup, the spirit of Riverina racing fanatics has not been deterred.
Trainer Gary Gardner is especially looking forward to the day out at Dalton, his horse UntyTheHood will be debuting at the Carnival of Cups.
"He raced in Victoria for 18 months, with 15 starts and never finished further back than fourth," Mr Gardner said.
"He's just had a spell of six to seven weeks off, so we're all hoping he can get the result being the only local in the cup."
The lightly raced six-year-old has seen 40 starts, in that time he has won group owners Heather Gardner, Gary Gardner, George Duncan and Donna Duncan multiple all-expenses paid trips to racing events across the state.
Being the only Griffith horse with a Griffith trainer entering in the 2019 Carnival of Cups, UntyTheHood has become a well-loved local favourite.
The Carnival of Cups has been a staple of Riverina harness racing for years. The featured TAB event will host live music, face painting, kids fun, bookmakers, and plenty of food and drink this year.
The event also sees the introduction of two new judges towers, thanks to the kind hearts of Collier and Miller, Norm Newton, and Brad Robinson.
Gates will be opening at 5pm, with the event set for a 6pm start on Tuesday night.
President of the Griffith Harness Racing Club, Denis Conroy, says that Saturday is the bigger night.
"It's hard with Tuesday being the Melbourne Cup day and a school weekday," Mr Conroy explained.
"The Saturday night is the cup night, that's when everyone will make their way out and the kids activities will be here."
Travelling race fans and Riverina locals alike will be able to catch all of the action at Dalton Park Racecourse this Tuesday and Saturday.
READ MORE
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.