by Kyle Galley
The Warragul Pacing Bowl Cup, one of Victoria’s oldest trotting features, has undergone a radical revamp ahead of this years staging on Sunday, April 21. 
The event has moved from what had become a traditional Easter Sunday timeslot, and, for the first time in history, the Cup will no longer be an open class pacing feature, in an attempt to revive interest from trainers in the race.
First staged in 1955, the Warragul Cup race has been won by some of Victoria’s well known horses, such as multiple city winners Macaree, Jazzam and Sokyola, while top competitors such as Sassy Sarah and the immortal trotter True Roman have tried and failed in what was at its peak one of Victoria’s most keenly contested country features. 
However, since all Victorian country Cup events went to mobile start races from handicap events just over five years ago, the Warragul Cup has lost its lustre.
Despite being run for a record stake of $35,000, the race has barely attracted more than six runners each staging in recent years, as horse numbers in the higher grade rankings, particularly at a local level, have continued to dwindle.
Only a handful of locally trained pacers have competed in the Warragul Cup in recent years, whereas 20 years ago there could be anywhere up to half a dozen locals each year vying for a start in the race.
Warragul Harness Racing Club officials, in consultation with Harness Racing Victoria, have worked to totally revamp the structure of this years event.
The Cup itself will be run for lower graded horses, carrying a national handicap rating of up to 55 points.
There is a far greater pool of these horses in the racing system, and it is this kind of horse, and the people that own and train them, that are the repeat customers at Warragul race meetings.
To further promote the event, lead up heats have been staged at race meetings at Cranbourne and Ballarat to enable competitors to guarantee their spot in the Cup on Sunday.
Overall, the Warragul Cup will carry a stake of $17,500 this year, with a consolation race of $10,000 also programmed for horses which fail to make the main Cup field but have competed in the heats.
Trotting horses will run for a big stake of $20,000 in the annual Eddie Evison Memorial Cup which always proves one of the highlights each year at Logan Park.
This race remains a handicap event over the long distance of 2627 metres.
The other big change to Warragul Cup day 2024 is a necessary shift away from the Easter weekend for the first time since 2006.
A trots meeting was scheduled at Cranbourne on Good Friday this year meaning the Warragul Cup has been moved to avoid a direct clash.
Warragul officials feel the date change should benefit their showcase event, as Easter usually sees many locals leave the Warragul area for a holiday break.
Warragul Harness Racing Club officials have been working hard over the last few years to enhance their facilities and the experience for participants and spectators at their Logan Park venue.
Memberships, attendances and on-course betting holds have increased, and horse numbers at race meetings have also increased in recent times. Many of Victoria’s top drivers are expected to compete on Sunday, including Chris Alford, Greg Sugars and James Herbertson, regular visitors to Logan Park meets.
They all praise the quality of Warragul race circuit and the hard workers behind the scenes who promote the sport in Gippsland.
Warragul boasts one of the safest trots circuits in Victoria, and in such a growth area should be a key focus of Melbourne trots officials to grow their sport in future.