Sport
29 May, 2026
Pacing Cup set to excite
The Maryborough Harness Racing Club is gearing up for a premier day of country harness racing action, community spirit and trackside entertainment for this weekend’s Maryborough Locksmiths Pacing Cup.
Held this Sunday, May 31, the free entry event is headlined by the $20,000 Maryborough Pacing Cup, which according to the club’s general manager Mark Percival, has attracted some of the region’s top pacers.
“Traditionally, the real focus of the club has largely been on the trotting side of things. So we wanted to try to rejuvenate the pacing cup and give it a bit more emphasis,” he said.
“It’s worth $20,000, which in today’s environments for harness racing is substantial and we’ve attracted a very solid field which we’re very happy with.”
Sunday’s main event isn’t the only race fetching some serious coin, as the stacked racing card also features the $14,000 Kindergarten 2YO Pace Final and the $14,000 Graduation Series 3YO Pace Final.
Alongside the heart-pumping racing action, patrons also have a plethora of off-track activities to keep the excitement trotting along.
The ever-popular Fashions on the Field returns with the theme of dressing in your “Sunday Best” and one lucky member will walk away $500 richer thanks to the “Must-Be-Won” Members Draw.
The club also invites attendees to create a short form video capturing the spirit of the event as part of the Hoofbeats and Heartbeats Video Competition, with two $250 cash prizes up for grabs.
Entertainment options are also available for the little ones, with free kids activities including a carpark DJ, face painting and aston the train running all day.
Percival said Sunday’s pacing cup is the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to experience the club’s relaxed and welcoming family-friendly atmosphere and enjoy the best of community racing.
“Harness Racing is very much a down to earth and country based sport and that’s one of the real attractions I think,” he said.
“We’re just trying to reinforce that connection to the community. We have a wonderful community and everybody’s welcomed.
“We have a very loyal band of supporters who are here for every race meeting all through the year and they absolutely love it.
“The challenge for us is to try to get people to come along who may not have considered coming to a harness race.
“There’s opportunities at a harness race meeting you don’t get at the thoroughbreds. You can get closer to the action, you can even be part of the action by taking a ride in the back of the mobile starting gates.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the community on Sunday and we just hope we’ll have a lovely day, rain, hail or shine.”
The Maryborough Harness Racing Club will open the gates at 10.30 am with the first race commencing at 11.09 am. Maryborough Locksmiths Pacing Cup is currently scheduled for 3.29 pm.