2006-06-27
Author: Ardin Masson

Last weekend the steady drum of hoof beats could be heard coming from the Portagex Fair Grounds, as the Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit held their inaugural event of the 2006 season.

Circuit President, Barry McNaughton, says the races as a whole were fantastic, although he does admit he would've liked to have seen an increased attendance over the two day event.

He adds the races featured many young horses, roughly 85 out a total of 150 animals. He feels this is a positive thing for the Circuit and racing in general because it means that people are still breeding mares and producing horses and that shows there is a continued interest in the industry.

Area competitors included Dean and Roland Rey of St. Claude, Gladstone's Gord Isman and McNaughton himself, who calls Oakville home.

Coming up next on the Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit is a stop in Holland.