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It’s not often you find a horse moniker in a memorial race that’s an exact fit for the person being remembered but with Clubman (from the Neasham/Archibald stable) accepted in the Semco Equipment Fred Cooper Cup on Sunday at Goulburn it’s as good as it gets.

Cooper was a ‘clubman’ by any definition of the word you want to throw up, led by a record 21 years as Goulburn Race Club President.

He was also a recipient of the Simon Nivison award for services to racing.

The late Fred Cooper - he will be recognised at Goulburn races on Sunday

Goulburn Race Club's CEO Robyn Fife acknowledged that Fred’s contribution to GRC and country racing was peerless.

“Fred was such an integral part of our club for a long time. His leadership and can-do attitude were contributions that have been invaluable to our race club’s development,” Ms Fife said.

Sunday’s race is the 15th edition of the race and looks to have found an ideal renewal signified by a new date, race-rating (B74 Handicap) and distance (1600m).

Trainers and owners have voted with their feet to supply a full field of 16 making the contest an ideal raceday strut for the Evergreen Turf Southern Country Championships Wild Card which will precede the Fred Cooper Cup.

Whilst Fred’s length of ‘clubman’ service spanned over many years, his namesake in the tribute race Clubman is just kicking off his career but making fast work of it.

The Neasham/Archibald-trained galloper has won two from three with a runner-up result in his only other race start.

Clubman carries 2kg less as reward for another step up in grade on Sunday, but the son of Oasis Dream showed a mile is right up his alley in a dominant victory at Scone last start.

Jean Van Overmeire retains the ride with a sticky draw (gate 11) requiring some divine intervention ... over to you Fred!

Goulburn’s track is rated a Soft 5 for Sunday’s Evergreen Turf Southern Country Championships Wild Card raceday.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Goulburn here