History
Harness racing first began in Victor Harbor in 1948. We oldies knew it as "the TROTS". "Going to the TROTS,” we'd say. The name Harness Racing has been adopted to embrace both racing styles of pacing and trotting.
The trotting meetings were held during the summer holiday months and attracted crowds of local and holiday makers alike. They were a much looked forward to part of the casual summer fun.
The original track was built at Malin Ave. Encounter Bay and the inaugural meeting was held on 22nd January 1948. The ribbon to open the new raceway was cut by Mr. J J Rice President of the South Australian Trotting League.
Among the 8 races featured were the Inman handicap won by Princess Eileen and the Free For All Stakes won by Nevamaid whose reinsman Tom Butterworth was presented with a trophy as the temperature soared and fires raged nearby!
Well known driving celebrities such as Lance Justice, K Webster, and Jim Hurley have graced the old track and horses of the calibre of Society Guy, Peter Adios and Petite Patou ran into our memories. The old track closed with the last club meeting being held on March 2nd 1997 and the fun of the races was sadly missed.
Money from the sale of the old track, combined with monies from the sale of land within Morgan Park estate, enabled the club to make Morgan Park a fully funded and financial project. Spending up to 2 million dollars on stabling, facilities, grounds, and the carving out of the best 1000-metre tracks in South Australia, has resulted in the building of a raceway facility equal to the best in the country tracks.
Our Committee consist of Lew Parker (President) , Keith Joy (V Pres) Jill Hagemann (Sec) Committee : Steve Fladrich, Ian Curran, Robyn Joy, David Philps, Alan Napier, Garth Hurrell, Tony Jones and Bryce Walker for 2009/2010
