By David Nagel
There was something for everyone at the Woolamai Picnic Racing Club on Saturday with a Good 3 track and sunny conditions making things ideal for participants and patrons alike.
The six-race program was split into three, with two races over 2000-metres beginning racing before the milers kicked into action in races three and four.
The sprinters then had their turn to shine from the picturesque and downhill 1000-metre start that begins at the bottom of a hill.
Two jockeys stole the limelight on Saturday with Rowan Cox and Dylan Dean both riding winning doubles.
Cox got the ball rolling in the opening race on the card when he led all the way to win by five lengths on the Kelvin Southey-trained Joyas ($6).
Cox then rode another forward race aboard the Reg Manning-trained Anything But over 1600 metres in race four.
The well-bred Savabeel/But Beautiful gelding gave Cox a nice-priced double, saluting at the juicy odds of $7.
Dean rode Miss Himalaya to victory in race three, before finishing off the program with a classy ride on Rivers Reward in the sprint.
Dean settled just off a hot pace before peeling off heels in the straight and saluting by just over a length on the line.
Rivers Reward was a popular winner on track, giving local trainer Noni Shelton and owner Colin Butler a satisfying result after extensive rehabilitation on the horse.
Racing returns to Woolamai this Saturday 28 December with the highlight on the program being the annual running of Victoria’s shortest thoroughbred race – The Woolamai Whirlwind – over 888 metres.
The race is again being sponsored by trainer Dean Binaisse’s 888 Racing brand, and the club is looking forward to a good holiday crowd relaxing after the whirlwind of Christmas.
Patrons can either roll up at the gate from 11am this Saturday or book tickets and group sites via the club website: woolamairaces.com.au
