By David Nagel
All roads lead to the picturesque Woolamai Racecourse on Saturday for the running of the time-honoured $7,000 Woolamai Cup (1708m).
A strong field has been nominated for the feature race on the Woolamai calendar, with last start winners at the track including Anything But, Cheeky Prince, Dustin Dhahran and See It All among the contenders for this year’s edition.
Peppino, for Sale trainer Damien Walkley, won last year’s race with jockey Melinda McDonald in the saddle.
Pakenham trainer Reece Goodwin, who cut his teeth as a young jockey at Woolamai, has nominated his talented six-year-old mare Sarnia, who has won professional races at both Cranbourne and Stony Creek in her last five starts.
She trotted in by four lengths when starting a $3.50 favourite at Stony Creek on 3 January.
The Woolamai Racing Club is expecting a good crowd, eager to experience a day in the pleasant surroundings under the elm trees with a backdrop of the rolling hills and Bass Coast.
Strong fields are expected for all races, with a spread of activities set to complement the action on the track.
Committeeman and club spokesperson Peter McCluskey set all is in readiness for a great day of picnic racing action.
“There is currently a strong pool of picnic horses, with trainers keen to run their horses at Woolamai,” McCluskey said.
“Our track is in great condition thanks to the vigilance of our track management team after heavy rains affected the early part of the picnic racing season.”
Highlights of the day include Fashions on the Field, with a number of categories, with local businesses providing sought after prizes.
Experienced organizers, Eventful Horizons, will be taking registrations and judging the various categories across the day.
The Wakeful Club will be awarding a $200 prize for the best presented horse and strapper in the Cup.
‘Riding for The Disabled’, which holds events at the course, will also be present.
McCluskey said the progressive club had made recent improvements to enhance the patron racing experience.
“We are continually upgrading facilities at the racecourse and have recently renovated and augmented toilet facilities, installed a new viewing platform at the winning post and improved spectator facilities,” he said.
“Patrons can book online via the club website or purchase tickets at the gate”.
The Woolamai racecourse is situated on Trew Road, Woolamai.
Patrons can take their own food and refreshments, with wine bottles the only glass objects allowed.
All other refreshments must be stored in cans.
