Albany Racing Club climbing the summit for Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll success

Albany Racing Club is set to host the second annual and highly anticipated $400,000 Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll slot race this Sunday, March 16, with 13 slot holders vying for success.

Proudly sponsored by Wellington and Reeves, the slot race is run over 1099m, mirroring the height of its namesake, the stunning Bluff Knoll – the highest peak of the Stirling Ranges.

Albany Racing Club spokesman Alan Smith expressed his excitement about the upcoming race, noting its significance for racing in the region and the wider community.

“The Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll is a fantastic addition to the Great Southern racing calendar, and we are thrilled to host the slot race for the second year,” Smith said.

“Once again, a top-quality field has been assembled for the race, with the State’s best sprinters set to come to Albany in a bid to claim the Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll.

“With the likes of Snowdome, Devine Belief, Almighty Class and Rope Them In engaged, I’m sure it’s going to make for a fantastic race.”

Racing in the Great Southern contributes more than $48 million to the regional economy, underscoring its importance as both an economic driver and a key part of the region’s social fabric.

Smith emphasised the widespread benefits of feature race meetings, such as the Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll, and its broader benefits.

“Racing is a major contributor to our local economy,” he said.

“The Wellington and Reeves Bluff Knoll is more than just the top-quality racing on the track – it’s about celebrating the Great Southern racing industry and the vital role it plays in our community.”

Gemma’s Son won last year's Bluff Knoll for trainer Embroja-Lee Altieri. It was an unforgettable feature win for Altieri, pictured above, as a trainer, pairing up with the RAM Racing Syndicate. 

The slot holders’ representatives for this year’s race include:

• Panizza Brothers and Willaview: Almighty Class
• Delta Agribusiness: Ruler Rocket
• Gangemi Racing: Scissor Step
• Gold Front Thoroughbreds: Norich
• RAM Racing Syndicate: Lexington City
• The Chief Racing Syndicate: Mood Swings
• SJ Wolfe Racing: Rope Them In
• 4 Mugs Syndicate: Gift Of The Heart
• Rainbow Coast Insurance Brokers: Keep Reading
• Ridgeport Holdings: Snowdome
• Bridge Patrol:  Devine Belief
• Alan Smith: Oxbridge
• Brian Fuller: I Am Spartacus 

I Am Spartacus, pictured above winning at the Esperance Bay Turf Club, will line up in the 2025 Bluff Knoll. Picture: Lynn Webb