The $6,000 Auld Lang Syne farewell pace for 14-year-old harness racing pacers saw Machtu N (Mach Three), driven by McGwire Sowers, triumph by a slim nose over Rockaholic, ridden by Andy Harrington. After starting from post four, Sowers quickly took the lead, manoeuvring around Rockaholic to clock a 29.4 second opening quarter. He then navigated through the middle fractions of 1:02 and 1:31.2, setting up an exhilarating showdown as they approached the final turn.
Rockaholic, having enjoyed a perfect trip in the two-hole, was poised to challenge. As they surged down the stretch, Rockaholic made up ground, but Machtu N maintained just enough speed to secure victory with a final time of 2:01.2. Fans held their breath, awaiting the official results, which confirmed Machtu N's narrow win.
The event celebrated the retired pacers, recognising twelve impressive 14-year-old Standardbreds who paraded in front of the crowd. Among them was the legendary Lucan Hanover, a world champion with career earnings surpassing $1.4 million. The day honoured the extraordinary careers of these horses, who collectively amassed $4.9 million in earnings over an average of 308 starts each.
Racing at Cumberland will continue with the season's final card on Sunday, featuring multiple finals and competitive races. The summer meeting is set to resume in April 2025.