Singer gives harness racing a lift

HARNESS racing got a whole lot sexier yesterday as Shannon Noll fans flocked to Highlands Paceway to see him perform as part of Orange’s Banjo Paterson Cup race meeting.

Mr Noll, whose hits include What About Me, Drive, Shine and Lift, said he was pleased to see more than 1000 people come to enjoy the day.

“It’s a real family environment here, we want to remind people it’s a good fun day for the family,” he said.

Mr Noll said when he was growing up he had a few friends whose fathers had trotters so he’d always been interested in the sport.

Shortly before his 40-minute set, Mr Noll told the Central Western Daily he intended to play around 10 songs including a mix of his hits and some old, familiar favourites.

“I’ll do a heap of songs that everyone knows,” he said.

While there were plenty of fans keen to see him, Mr Noll acknowledged he might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

“If they aren’t fans before hopefully they might be [after],” he said.

Orange Harness Race Club president Frank McRae said Mr Noll was travelling to various harness racing meeting throughout the state as part of his commitment to work with Harness Racing NSW and help lift the sport’s profile.

“The feedback we’ve had from having him here has been really good,” Mr McRae said.

Mr McRae said the club held a free-entry race meeting two weeks ago and that, coupled with Mr Noll’s appearance yesterday, was helping to introduce the sport to a whole new demographic.

“I think we’re building interest,” he said.

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