It was also a fundraiser for the Crookwell Community Trust, which raises money to help local people who fall on hard times.

Tom and Angela Hewitt, who the feature race honours, had been synonymous with the light harness sport in the Southern Tablelands.  

The feature race was won by Bernie Hewitt, Tom and Angela’s son, driving Royal Story, which he trains for Margaret Meredith.

The mare started as a short-priced race favourite. 

Hewitt said after the race it was especially pleasing to win one named in honour of his parents.

“It is a great honour and I was confident that [Royal Story] had the ability to pull off the win,” he said. “She is a big, easy-going mare. 

“She is easy to drive and very consistent in her performance.

“Mum and Dad would have been so happy to watch her. She was the best fit for the race from our stable.”

Hewitt is considering his options with Royal Story over the next couple of weeks, which could include a race up north and possibly back for the Carnival of Cups in Goulburn on Sunday, January 28.

The Lauren Tritton-driven Colin Mattgregor finished second with Our Wall Street Wolf, driven by Anthony Frisby, third. Sand Blaster, driven by David Hewitt, and One Hell of A Ride, driven by Amy Day, were left behind at the start and finished well behind the field.

The Aub Frost Memorial, which honours another Crookwell pioneer horseman, was won by Bella Ball Terror, owned, driven and trained by Dennis Picker.

Bill Martin and his sister Robyn, whose grandfather used to own Walla Walla, were on hand for the rug presentation to the Walla Walla Stakes winner Franko Nelson, driven by Lauren Tritton.

Also lining up for a photo were two of Bill’s grandchildren, Cooper and Billy Croker. Mr Martin said he and Robyn both have fond memories of sitting on Walla Walla’s back. 

Brad Hewitt’s trotter Spare Me Days was second in the Stakes.