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Stable Tours

Our now famous stable tours are held 2 to 3 times per year and are enjoyed by all the participants. We have many tour regulars so if you're interested in an upcoming tour, please contact our secretary Len Baker

97.9FM HARNESS REVIEW

The Association presents the multiple award winning radio program Harness Review every Monday night from 8-10pm (AEST) on 97.9FM.

Produced and hosted by Len Baker, the program has expert comments from co-hosts Clinton Welsh, Bob Turnbull, Alexandra Hurley and Dr Mervyn Williamson and guests from around Australia and the world.

The program is also streamed live over the net via www.979fm.net

MACHRA History

Metropolitan and Country Harness Racing Association

The Metropolitan and Country Harness Racing Association is the new name given to the organisation formerly known as 'The Metropolitan and Country Trotting Association' from hereon to be referred to as the M&CTA. The Executive committee felt that the 2007 name change reflected current times.

A brief history of how the important and influential M&CTA came into being is as follows:

The M&CTA was formed in the 1946/7 season 62 years ago to specifically roll the unpopular ruling authority which controlled racing at the time. A group of trotting enthusiasts had earlier tried unsuccessfully to derail the VT&RA (Victorian Trotting & Racing Association) and realised that to do so, the support of politicians was required to vote for a Racing Bill.

After the 1946/47 season, a meeting to be held at Unity Hall in Bourke St, was called by these forward thinking horsemen. The meeting attracted a large crowd and George McNamara, long time Secretary of the Geelong Club, was elected as President of the fledging M&CTA. Syd Mortimore was to be the Treasurer and Bob Freestone became a very popular Secretary. Keith Greenwood was appointed the Association's press officer.

The aim of this new body was to constitute a Control Board to bring night trotting to the city of Melbourne. The M&CTA's first move was to seek the support of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) for its track as part of its submission to the Government. At that time, A.G. Hunter (a former owner and breeder of pacers) was the president of the Royal Agricultural Society, and he and his executive were indeed interested in having night trotting at their track.

For many weeks both sides lobbied all Members of Parliament. After lengthy parliamentary debate, Parliament's voting was tied. Finally, Premier Jack Cain, cast his deciding vote in favour of the M&CTA proposal for a Trotting Control Board (TCB) to be formed to stage night trotting at the Showgrounds.

The Government appointed chairman of the new body was A.G. Hunter. The RAS was given a major say in trotting with strong representation on the TCB. Bob Freestone was also appointed by the Minister for Racing. These men were given the responsibility of introducing night trotting to Melbourne in October, 1947. The Racing Act would later be changed to have three representatives from the M&CTA on the TCB.

Financial membership of the M&CTA in its first year reached 496. The main aim of the Association at that time was for extra racing dates to be given to the Showgrounds. On an average Saturday night 20 000 people attended the trots. Interesting to note is that the racing season up until the 1970's closed down for two months for a winter hiatus. As time went on, the executive committee had expanded to include members from various country regions.

A feature of annual M&CTA committees was undoubtedly the number of prominent horsemen who served. The importance of the industry having its own track was recognised by the M&CTA and was a constant topic of conversation at its meetings. A sub committee was formed to investigate various areas of land that might be suitable.

By 1992 changes to the Racing Act would no longer allow the M&CTA to put forward names of representatives for the Minister to then select the Board. A smaller authority under the chairmanship of Ian McEwen was set up.

In 1962 this industry based association established the Sulky Fund. It was a ground breaking decision, has served the industry well and is an integral part of racing today with all participants' sulkies covered at a low cost under a certain set criteria. However, after many successful years of administering the Sulky Fund, the M&CTA saw fit to hand this initiative over to HRV. The Association is still represented by an executive committee person on the Sulky Insurance Scheme panel.

For an in depth version of the above refer to Max Agnew's article in 'Harness Racing International' November/December 2000.

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