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Different kind of horsepower drives a good cause

Empathy indirectly steered three generations of the Jolly family to a go-kart grand prix with Eran Boyd and Krystal Bishop earlier this month.

Mega Fast Karts donated a session at its Richmond facility to an auction supporting the TRSA Bushfire Appeal Initiative, launched in January to assist bushfire-impacted communities across South Australia.

Part of the auction item was the involvement of jockey Eran and ex-rider turned trainer Krystal, who each ‘captained’ two teams of five after donating their time to the cause.

Sue Harvey was the successful bidder, and accompanied seven family members – including her father, veteran SA trainer Peter Jolly – to the kart-racing facility to enjoy some high-speed fun.

Sue wanted to support the fundraising auction due to her own experience with bushfires.

“My family actually lived at Hope Forrest during the Ash Wednesday bushfires, so I knew what it was like being in that devastation,” she said.

“At the time I was a 16-year-old kid. Mum and Dad had the farm and we saw the fire go through.

“In July my husband and I actually went over to KI – we were going anyway – to have a look.”

Eran is also from Kangaroo Island, where here parents run a small bakery and café in Parndana, and has been a strong supporter of TRSA’s bushfire-relief activities.

Sue and her husband, Kym, met with Eran’s parents during their recent KI trip.

“We had a chat to them about everything,” she said.

“That (connection) was basically why I was keen to bid at the auction.

“And also the go-karts were something to do with the family.”

Krystal said her and Eran were keen to volunteer their services to the cause.

“It was only a small thing, but we just wanted another way to help,” Krystal said.

“I’ve got a competitive streak and it was really good fun, even though I had a few crashes."

For the record, Eran finished in front of Krystal, but both finished behind the winner, James Jolly, son of trainer Richard Jolly.

Sue said three generations raced the go-karts, while her husband also celebrated his 59th birthday on the day.

Sue also joked that the experience seemed to serve Eran well in the saddle.

“I said to Eran ‘It must have sharpened you up’, because she rode a double at Morphettville (the next day), then another winner at Oakbank on the Sunday,” she said.

In addition to her involvement with the auction, Sue also part owns Fulton Street, which won two races during a promotion that saw TRSA donate $500 for each win by a horse carrying a rider wearing the Bushfire Appeal-branded silks at SA race meetings during the appeal period.

The appeal raised over $50,000.

 

IMAGE: Mega Fast Karts Grand Prix winner James Jolly (left), 17, with his aunt and auction winner Sue Harvey, former jockey and now trainer Krystal Bishop and current rider Eran Boyd.

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