JUDITH Rutland has been remembered for her passion and dedication to harness racing as she blazed a trail for women in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rutland died on Monday surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer on Monday.
She was 65.
Bruce Harpley remembered his sister for her absolute loyalty.
"She was a 100 per cent true blue person and when she was behind you she was behind you," Harpley said.
"She would go to the end of the earth to stick up for you if anything went wrong and you knew where you stood with her.
"She had big opinions but you knew where you stood."
Born into a harness racing family, Rutland was the first woman to win a race in the region and continued to be involved despite her declining health.
"The only thing she ever wanted to do was sit behind a horse," Harpley said.
"When she couldn't she said what she missed the most was driving a horse."
Rutland and husband Trevor tasted plenty of success with Judith Kelly and more recently brought up a special win when Sofire Girl took out the Rebecca Rutland Memorial, named in honour of their late daughter.
Rutland is survived by husband Trevor, their daughter Kelly, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Her funeral will be held at St John's Anglican Church in Wagga at 12.30pm on Thursday.
****
MAJOR Roll made it two wins on the trot at Menangle on Saturday night.
Sent to Belinda McCarthy by Mirrool trainer-driver Stephen Maguire, Major Roll took no competitive part in his first start for the state's leading trainer before the back-to-back wins.
Sitting without cover for most of the race, Major Roll proved too strong for his rivals to win by 1.7 metres.
The Stunning Nun also continued her good form since leaving the Riverina, making it three for three for former Young trainer Jason Grimson in the mares race on the card.
She is looking to make it four straight on Saturday night.
****
PRIZEMONEY will be boosted from July 1.
Harness Racing NSW revealed Category A meetings will now be worth $8,568 with Category B meeting $6,528.
Changes to the national ratings system will see winner of Category B races will not be penalised the same as Category A.
It is an increase of 7.1 and 8.8 per cents respectively.
The winner's share of the prizemoney has been adjusted to 54 per cent.
The Breeders Challenge finals will also be worth $150,000 later in the season.
****
A LONG wait was made worthwhile for Yanco trainer-driver Mal Diebert at Tuesday.
Diebert took out the first race at Riverina Paceway when Heres Your Bonus led all the way.
Despite the threat of fog which delayed race seven, he then took out the last race as he steered Lucksafortune to victory for his father Norm.
It was the two-year-old's first placing in three starts.
****
LEETON will hold an eight-race card on Friday.
The first is at 1.53pm.
Wagga then races on Tuesday, the first of the club's two meetings for the week.
READ MORE