Lamington legend to return
Golden Mile Trotting Club officials are going all-out to make this year's annual carnival one of the best among a 2015 program officially celebrating 100 years of pacing under lights in the region.
The season gets under way on Friday, September 11, before a one-off centenary program, encompassing a host of special events and a proposed fireworks display, a week later.
Officials hope to build on that momentum on the two dates of the annual carnival, in conjunction with the Race Round, on Wednesday, September 23, and Saturday, September 26.
Legendary race caller Milton Pettit has confirmed his appearance at the September 23 meeting, with plans afoot to also host one of Sky Channel's leading presenters the same evening.
GMTC president Brian Pascoe said negotiations were also under way to further showcase the carnival's opening night with an appearance by a leading Sydney driver.
Pettit, who is considered virtual royalty in racing circles after more than 40 years behind the microphone, will make a one-off call at the carnival.
He "retired" from official race-calling duties in 1999.
But eight years ago, in his adopted State of Tasmania, Pettit made a comeback by calling trials.
A former Kalgoorlie Miner contributor, who became the main caller at the KBRC before leaving the region in 1958, Kalgoorlie-born Pettit grew up in Lamington.
In his younger days, Pettit was the publicity officer for local hockey, cycling and professional foot running, in which he contributed regular results and updates to the Miner.
He had grown up wanting to be a jockey, but when those aspirations waned his interests switched to race-calling.
A works project at the GMTC, highlighted by the establishment of 18 new stables before the opening meeting, will be complemented by extensions to the public area, a lift to the members' lounge and a sand jogging track.
