ALBURY Harness Racing Club has attracted a competitive field for the $12,000 Albury Pacers Cup (2570m) at Albury Paceway on Saturday night.
While the feature race lacks the quality runners of previous years, it looks set to be hotly contested with no standout runner in the final field of nine.
Club secretary Kevin Walsh said the clash with Sunday’s Inter Dominion Grand Final at Menangle had affected the overall quality of the meeting.
“We are a bit disappointed with the final make-up of the cup field,” Walsh said.
“A few of the bigger stables have had to bypass the race with the Inter Dominion on Sunday.
“Last year’s winning trainer David Aiken is flying to Sydney on Friday, attending the yearling sales on Saturday, driving at Menangle on Sunday before flying back to drive at Cobram on Monday.
“Blokes like David Jack and Daniel Jack who also traditionally support the meeting are also in Sydney and don’t have a runner at Albury.
“It’s obviously not the best date to have our marquee meeting.
“But on the positive side most races on the program look to be competitive and there should be some good racing.”
The String Of Pearls, Albury Derby and 2YO Jack Adams Memorial are the other features on the eight-race card.
The club had to scrap the Jack Adams Memorial 2YO Pace and Border Derby last year due to lack of nominations.
The first race of the TAB meeting is at 6.15pm with the last race at 9.45pm.