Wagga Harness Racing Club (WHRC) hope to be able to welcome chief executive Greg Gangle back to race days by the middle of next month.
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Gangle's vaccination status has meant he has been unable to attend race meetings for more than a month, as per the state government and Harness Racing NSW's rules.
Gangle, who has a personal medical reason for not being vaccinated against COVID-19, only began in the position in September after moving from Canada.
It has left WHRC president Terry McMillan and his committee with the job of running race days, with still three more before Gangle can return.
Gangle denied suggestions he is anti-vaccinations and explained that it was a private medical matter that prevented him from being on track.
"I have a personal medical reason. What the issue right now is getting the documentation from Canada down here," Gangle said.
"It's pretty much more or less working from home at the moment, which 99.9 per cent of it can be done anyway. Generally on race days you're putting out fires. Everything is done ahead of time. I'm pretty much counting down the days until the 15th of December.
"Wagga Harness Racing Club has and will continue to follow every protocol put in place by Harness Racing NSW and the state government."
Under the NSW Government's latest roadmap for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, a number of adjustments will come into effect after the state reaches the 95 per cent double-dose vaccination target or December 15, whichever comes first.
Gangle cannot wait to get back on track and thanked the WHRC committee and staff for their work in his absence.
"There has been phenomenal assistance regarding people on the committee and Matt and Andrew that assist with the track and the ground duties there. They've been fantastic," Gangle said.
"Everyone has been very accommodating. To be quite honest, the entire community of harness racing since I've been down here, it's quite overwhelming the response I've had and it's very humbling to be quite honest."
McMillan said WHRC fully supported Gangle and looked forward to his return.
"We're carrying on with business. He sets everything up and we've just got to make sure everything runs alright," McMillan said.
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CAMERON Hart added another feather to his cap by taking out a heat of the Inter Dominion Trotting Championships on Saturday.
The former Junee reinsman caused a boilover as Timothy Red won the second of the heats at Menangle as a $41 chance.
Hart also finished second behind series favourite King Of Swing in the first of the pacers heats with Majestic Cruiser.
The series continues with rounds of heats at Bathurst on Wednesday and Newcastle on Sunday before culminating at Menangle on December 11.
Riverina-owned Rusty Crackers finished eighth in his heat after galloping at the top of the straight while Bundoran, who is part-owned by Michael Boots, was sixth in his heat.
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JACKSON Painting has extended his lead in the Southwest and Riverina premiership to 10.5 wins after a double at Wagga on Tuesday night.
The 35-year-old has driven 94.5 winners in the region this season while Blake Jones sits on 84.
Both reinsmen are also in the top 10 in the state premiership.
Painting is eighth with 96 wins while Jones just one behind.
Cameron Hart leads the way with 163 wins. He is 26 wins clear of Jack Callaghan with a month left in the season.
The pair are also the leading two concession drivers with Blake Micallef fourth with his 66 wins.
Hart's performance has him 10th in the national premiership.
Meanwhile, David Kennedy has a massive advantage in the Riverina trainer's premiership.
With 74.5 wins in the region so far, the Euroley trainer sits 27.5 wins clear of Ellen Bartley and is seventh in the state premiership.
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BLAKE Micallef continues to take advantage of the end of regionalised racing after tasting more success at Dubbo on Saturday.
The Young reinsman combined with Josh Turnbull for success with Itsallaboutned.
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LEETON owner Michael Boots continues to have success with his large team.
Sugar Apple won on debut at Penrith on Thursday for Jason Grimson.
The former Kiwi is expected to head to Leeton for the heats of the MIA Breeders Plate on December 14.
Former Riverina pacer Stravinksy was also successful on the card in his first start since leaving James McPherson.
The three-year-old, who won six races for the McPherson family, qualified for the NSW Breeders Challenge Eastern Region Final at Newcastle on Sunday with his success.
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IMPRESSIVE two-year-old winner Quartzite will head to the MIA Breeders Plate.
Scorching home in a last half of 54.4 seconds at Wagga on Tuesday, Yanco trainer David Eurell confirmed plans to head to Leeton's feature.
Eurell has been more than happy to take his time with the two-year-old, who won four trials leading into a strong second on debut.
"He went nice and he's always had ability but we've looked after him," Eurell said.
"He won a couple of trials at Coolamon back in May and could have went to the races then but we put him out and I think this is the seventh time he's been in work.
"Hopefully it will pay off for us."
While by Pet Rock, Quartzite is ineligible for the current Vicbred Super Series. Instead the veteran horseman is chasing his second win in the Riverina's most prestigious race, with his first coming with King Adriot in 1976.
He finished second with Jimmy Beach in 2019.
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WAGGA will hold its second meeting for the week on Friday.
The club will hold another eight-race card with the first race at 1.04pm.
Young races on Tuesday.