THE Hamilton Harness Racing Club had its final program for the year with nine races on the card for Monday’s schedule with a good crowd on hand for a special day for the club.

The day was highlighted by the Jim Barker Pace, which was set for race five, with the race named after local trainer, Jim Barker.

Local trainer, Bec East, claimed the inaugural honour, as Michael Bellman drove She Will Wantano to victory in a mile rate of 1:59.4 to claim the winning rug from Barker, who was in attendance.

The day got rolling with Jordan Needham guiding Midnight Dancer to victory for Beau and Ann-Jeanette Tindale in race one, recording a mile rate of 1:59.7.

Mikicool held on in the second to give David Drury a trainer/driver double in a slightly quicker mile time of 1:59.5.

Race three was a highlight for local owners, David and Terry Lewis, after Browniesatmidnight got past the post first, thanks to an impressive drive from Glen Craven.

The Paddy Lee-trained product recorded a mile rate of 1:58.9, as times continued to improve across the afternoon.

Race four blew the other times out of the water, as Ryan Duffy had Wingate Guy on a burst to win for trainer, Adam Stephens, in a mile rate of 1:56.5.

The sixth saw Bellman bring up a driving double, hot off the heels of his Jim Barker Pace victory.

This time he guided the Barry Beasley-trained Fredrhys to victory in a mile rate of 2:05.5 to claim the trotters handicap win.

Race seven was back to pacing and My Purple Patch took top honours in an equal fastest mile rate of the day, 1:56.1, to give trainer, Barry Finnis, and driver, Lochie Cook, plenty of reasons to celebrate.

The penultimate race on the program saw a familiar pairing salute, as trainer, Marg Lee, and driver, Jason Lee, combine to see Joelita claim victory in a mile rate equal to the race prior, as the competition really heated up in the back end of the program.

The final race on the card was the ninth and Lookout ended the day on a winning note for trainer, LeRoy O’Brien, as Jordan Leedham drove the New Zealand product to victory in a mile rate of 2:00.8.

The club now turns its focus to its biggest day of the year, with the annual cup day scheduled for January 14.

The program will include the Hamilton Pacing along with the Trotters Cup.

January’s event will also host the Border Cup Final, with heats set to be ran at Mount Gambier to qualify for the feature race in a little under two months’ time.

The break will also ensure the track will be at its best for the showpiece event.