Eugowra Harness Racing Club is gearing up for one of its biggest days of the year, with top-class racing, family entertainment and a program that pays tribute to some of the sport’s longstanding local supporters.

Sunday’s $30,000 Kriden Farms Canola Cup will headline the action, with local hopes pinned on Sweet on Lexy, bred by Forbes and Eugowra local Lex Crosby and trained by Bathurst horseman Bernie Hewitt.

Sweet on Lexy, who stormed home to win the Forbes Diggers Cup earlier this year, earned his spot in the final with a strong heat performance last weekend.

Barrier draws haven’t always been kind to Sweet on Lexy - he’s come up with nine this time - but for Crosby it’s a thrill to have a runner in the race he’s got a long-standing connection to.

“It’s very exciting to have a runner in the Canola Cup final - that’s what everyone strives for,” Crosby said. “What happens after that we don’t know.”

The Crosby connection runs deep.

Sweet on Lexy is the ninth generation from the mare Crosby’s father purchased 70 years ago. His dam, I’m With Lexy, won the Canola Cup in 2017, while his great-grandmother Lexy Lobell won her heat back in 2003.

It promises to be a big day for the stable, with Lexy Longstockings contesting the Canola Cup Gold Consolation after narrowly missing a finals berth, and Lexy’s On Song entered for the $15,000 John Greenhalgh Memorial.

Second to Sweet on Lexy in his heat and also flying the flag for Forbes in the final is the Jason Gaffney-trained Denver Colorado.

The race program also includes the $15,000 Don Tildsley Memorial and $10,000 Ken Sharp Memorial, ensuring the past is honoured alongside today’s racing stars.

Away from the track, Eugowra Harness Racing Club is making sure it’s a true family day out.

Kids are catered for with free dodgems, free jumping castles and face painting, while fashions on the field, live music from Cath Adams and Shane Kerr, and novelty events like the ladies’ and gents’ dash for cash and bouncing pony races promise plenty of fun for all ages.

Fun starts midday with food, coffee, ice cream and lolly vans on site for the afternoon.

Your 2025 Canola Cup field is:

1 Jewel Heaven - trained by Bernie Hewitt, driven by Bernie in the heat

2 Rudimentary - trained by Scott Hewitt, ridden by Harrison Ross in the heat

3 Dougs Tribe (first emergency) - trained by Mitch Turnbull, driven by Jye Coney in the heat

4 Elite George - trained by Nathan Turnbull, driven by Jye Coney in the heat

5 Denver Colorado - trained by Jason Gaffney, driven by Mat Rue in the heat

6 Cavalletta - trained by Jackson Painting, driven by Jackson in the heat

7 Aromet Girl - trained by Gary Harpley, driven by Harrison Ross in the heat

8 This Time NZ - trained by Jackson Painting, driven by Jackson in the heat

9 Sweet On Lexy - trained by Bernie Hewitt, driven by Bernie in the heat

10 Limousine Tommy - trained by Bernie Hewitt, driven by Bernie in the heat

11 El Franco De - trained by Nathan Turnbull, driven by Jett Turnbull in the heat