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Hamilton identity Jim Barker is Harness Racing Victoria?s
2004 Gordon Rothacker Medallist.
Barker was presented with HRV?s highest honour by
Racing Minister John Pandazopolous at a gala dinner at Moonee Valley racecourse
before a crowd of more than 450 people on Friday night.
He joins past winners Ian McCallum (2002) and Geoff
Hill (2003) on the Gordon Rothacker Medal honour roll.
?Gentleman Jim? has made an enormous contribution
to harness racing in Victoria?s South West Region.
He commenced as a hobby trainer in the 1960?s, and has
been training professionally for some three decades.
Jim won his first Melbourne race at the Showgrounds
in 1974 with Colleen Moss.
His career highlights include five Mount Gambier
Cups, a Hamilton Cup and a heat of the Victoria Oaks. Some of his best horses
were Athol Bret, Morello Lad, Blurrmidge and Jolaura.
A life member and the longest serving trainer at
Mount Gambier, Jim was a foundation member of the Hamilton Harness Racing Club.
He helped to build the local track and surrounding complex.
Jim also instilled a love of harness racing into his
son Rodney, and has been a mentor to a host of young drivers including Michael
Stanley, Ben Yole and Caleb Lewis.
His life in harness racing has seen him fulfil many
and varied roles, including trainer and driver, farrier, breaker, pony cart
builder and advisor to anyone seeking assistance with a troublesome horse.
HRV Chairman Neil Busse described Barker as a worthy
winner.
?Jim is a person who is absolutely devoted to the
harness racing industry,? Busse said.
?He has provided outstanding support to Clubs
within his local area and is just as passionate about winning races today as he
was when he started out with horses more than 40 years ago,? he said.
The Gordon Rothacker Medal dinner also featured the
presentation of HRV?s Country Club Awards for the 2003/04 season.
Ballarat and District Trotting Club was a star
performer, winning Country Club of the Year (more than 12 meetings) for the
third consecutive season.
Chief Executive Colin Holloway was named Frank Ryan
Secretary of the Year, while the Cadbury Ballarat Pacing Cup won Best Local
Media Coverage.
Wedderburn and District Harness Racing Club secured
both Country Club of the Year (less than 12 meetings) and the Best On-Course
Promotion award for an innovative car giveaway at its Pacing Cup meeting.
?The standard of nominations for this year?s
Country Club Awards was outstanding,? Busse said.
?The quality of the winner?s list aptly
demonstrates how well our Country Clubs have performed over the past 12
months,? he said.
Other winners:-
Most Successful Country Cup Meeting -
Cranbourne.
Best Presented Track
-
Horsham.
Graduation Club of the Year
-
Mooroopna.
Secretary of the Year (Part-Time)
-
Tamara Lane (Horsham).
Graduation Secretary of the Year
-
Lorraine Duffy (Mooroopna).
