THE Victor Harbor Harness Racing Club will pay tribute to committee member Robin Joy at its next race meeting in January.
Late last year, Mr Joy passed away, surrounded by friends and family.
He had been a volunteer at the club for a number of years and for the past three years he was on the committee and kept the track in top condition for a high-standard of racing.
Club president Lynton Bishop said the 2019 Trotters Cup would be named after Mr Joy, following his love of square-gaited horses.
“He was very meticulous, he would spend hours and hours on the track,” Mr Bishop said.
“He said to me at one stage, he used to walk around as a kid picking stones off the old track.”
Mr Joy always had a love for horses, which stemmed from his father’s horse training background and involvement with the club for more than 50 years.
During his involvement with racing, Mr Joy had a number of racehorses including Doctor Puckeridge, who was named after a surgeon who saved his life and won at the Return to Wayville last year.
Mr Bishop said Mr Joy’s hard-working and dedicated work ethos would be missed at the club, making the Trotters Cup a perfect opportunity to race in his honour.
“Robin had a passion for horses, and it was evident in any horse-related task he undertook,” Mr Bishop said.
The race meeting on Monday, January 14, will be the second of the harness racing season for the club, following its successful race day last month.
The Monday race day will feature the regular attractions, including bookies, punters club, food, drinks and children’s entertainment.
While official times are yet to be confirmed, gates to the track are expected to open at 11.30pm with the first race at about 1.30pm.
Mr Bishop said it would be a great day of racing and hoped people holidaying on the Fleurieu would enjoy a day at the races.
Finalised times will be posted on www.vhhrc.comand on the club’s Facebook page once confirmed.