Harness racing has lost a wonderful lady with the sudden passing of former leading reinswoman Sharyn Slater last week.
Sharyn drove 84 winners, including feature victories with Bullzi in the Carrick Cup and the Premier Stakes with Another Toota, but her promising career was tragically cut short in 2005 after a fall at the Carrick trials in which she was seriously injured.
Sharyn’s life was in the balance for a week, listed as critical, but she was a fighter.
With expert medical attention from hospital staff guiding her recovery and the support of family and friends and the wider harness racing community, Sharyn was released from hospital two months later.
Although unable to return to the sulky Sharyn remained deeply involved in the industry with her partner Andrew Rawlings.
Sharyn’s daughter Matilda has shown her mother’s flair in the cart over the past few years through her involvement in the mini-trot races around the state.
Sharyn, Andrew and Matilda had only recently moved to Victoria to further Sharyn’s treatment and to allow Andrew to continue his training career.
Family and friends gathered in Melton to attend the funeral service for Sharyn on Tuesday.
However, there is still the opportunity here in Tasmania to celebrate Sharyn’s life by joining family and friends at the Launceston Pacing Club on Thursday, 14 September at 3pm.
It was a sad week for the LPC, drivers wearing black-armbands on Sunday night as a mark of respect for Sharyn and the passing of long-time members and supporters, Hilton Howe, Alf Brooks and Peter Ackroyd.