Hutchings, Turnbull top standings in 2021 Parkes Harness awards

TOP EFFORT: Parkes Harness Racing Club meeting coordinator Tony Dumesny presents the award for Leading Juvenile (Watch and Weep) to trainer Malcolm Hutchings and his wife Daphne. Photo: KRISTY WILLIAMS.

Once again COVID-19 did its best to rain on the parade at the Parkes Harness Racing Club during 2021, but the club continued to thrive and cement itself as a destination track for trainers and drivers across regional NSW.

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There were 28 race days, 228 races and a total of 637 horses that raced on the Parkes track; with 166 trainers and 135 drivers visiting what is often seen as the best track in the Central West.

Instead of a presentation evening in these risky COVID times, the club elected to announce and celebrate all the awards winners at last week's Australia Day meeting, with president Geoff Cole presenting the prizes between races.

When Cole presented local favourite Malcolm Hutchings with his award for Leading Local Trainer of the Year, Hutchings preferred to allocate the success to the big team behind him.

"What better way to win an award than to do it with your family and friends," he said.

"Without them helping none of this would get done, so thank you so much for the support of them, and the support of the club."

Malcolm and wife Daphne were also presented with the award for top juvenile horse and Tony Dumesny, tongue firmly in cheek, took a bit of credit for the award.

"I just thought about this and realised why this horse is so good....I broke him in - so he had to be a star didn't he!"

Daphne backed up his sentiments though, and said she was looking forward to seeing what the future held for their gelding.

"Tony was very good to the horse so thanks Tony, and thanks to the sponsors and the club for putting on this great night," she said.

"We're very happy with him and look forward to seeing how he can progress through the grades now."

READ MORE ABOUT THE AUSTRALIA DAY MEETING:

- Hutchings refuses to let bad luck continue with popular win on Im Alrite

- 'Very special' as Turnbull follows in family footsteps for top awards

- Australia Day in Parkes: great night out with Parkes Harness Racing Club

Malcolm's son Brett won the other local award - the top driver - and we are certainly very lucky to have Hutchings family here in Parkes.

It was an exceptionally tight race this year for the top awards, with punters and participants alike just hanging on for the nail-biting ride.

Nathan Turnbull (156 points) only won the Leading Trainer award in the last race over dad Steve (153 points), with sister Amanda (131) not too far behind in third.

Nathan had a much more comfortable lead in the Leading Driver standings though, winning on 173 points with brother Mitch (136) and sister Amanda (126) rounding out the placings.

Nathan's gelding Key Defender (30 points) also waited until the last race to nab the Leading Horse ahead of crowd favourite Jacobs Thunder (29), with another Nathan Turnbull horse - Baby Bee Mine - in third.

When it came to the leading locals, Malcolm won the trainer title by 14 points over Stan Townsend, while Brett (67) held off rising star Will Cassell (56), who will no doubt win the award one day.