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Woolamai Report Saturday 2nd February 2008
The weather gods shone again for Woolamai Race Club and they had an excellent turnout for their annual Cup meeting. Large fields raced throughout the day and a number of close finishes had the judges inspecting the photos and in one instance the Stewards had to uphold a protest.

The first race of the day saw Ms K Gillahan lead all the way on Miss Gisborne who has been racing well in the professionals and appreciated the drop back to picnic class and the increase to 2000m.

Race 2 went to the first starter Call You Back who was very heavily backed and despite getting headed in the straight it fought back strongly to get up on the line.

Despite sitting wide all the way, the outsider Esdene's Sequel won the 3rd race well at around $13-00. The horse has continued to improve with each start this season and should go onto more wins.

The fourth race was decided in the stewards room after Ensay won in a close photo but lost on protest to the consistent old stager Captain Cosmic. It has taken him some time to get fit but he has been getting less weight with each run and left alone in front he was able to get a good run to win.

The Cup was another close photo with Manilla Royal storming down the outside from well back to get up and beat Great Reason with Leica Reason in 3rd place.

The final race looked to be all sewn up when Carefully went to the front after turning for home but Dover fought back strongly on the line to win in a photo. Disappointment of the race was the Bodey ridden favourite Jacksparrow who got well out of its ground and never gave a yelp.

Check out the picture gallery for Woolamai.
Race results and stewards reports now available.

Healesville Report Sunday 3rd February 2008
Small fields, a large crowd, but an ordinary meeting from a betting perspective. Unfortunately Healesville don't seem to attract the fields worthy of the venue with two disappointing races of only 2 & 3 starters. Picnic meetings operating on days when there is no metropolitan Melbourne races are also badly affected by betting turnover. The highlight of the day was The Lanz winning the 2008 Sprinter Series final carrying a massive 76kg.

Race 1 was nothing other than a watch race with only two horses contesting. Baltic Storm was the short priced $1-10 favourite and won with ease from Lycomedes.

Race 2 saw Seamstress continue on from where it left off last time at this track, bolting to the front by the home turn and winning easily again giving nothing else bar dust a chance.

Race 3 went to Woolamai Miss at the good price of $12-00 and gave A. Taylor his first winner for the season after 17 attempts.

Race 4 was the final of the Sprinter Series were despite having to lug 76kg, The Lanz was a class above them and easily beat Dancing Dragon and Grand Legend.

The fifth race was depleted to a three horse affair after scratchings and was won by the outsider of the field Bonserada. Courtney Pace showed great judgement of pace by taking the horse to the front and rating to perfection. Ensuring she had enough petrol in the tank to hold out the fast finishing Glorious Ruby with the disappointing favourite Blue Dress third she repeated the lesson given to them in the Dederang Cup.

The final race went to the consistent Purge who provided Jessica Moroni with a double and reduced her claim to 2kg.

Some of the days events are available to see in the picture gallery.
Race results and stewards reports now available.

Next Meetings
Drouin and Alexandra, 9th and 10th of February 2008.

Drouin Royal Hotel Ficifolia Cup Race Day – This Saturday, Feb. 9
This Saturday will be exciting for all. Before the races, the town ship of Drouin will hold the annual Street Parade down the main thoroughfare. There will be lots of fun and floats. The parade runs between 12 noon and 1pm. After the parade, walk to Civic park, for the beginning of ‘Party in the park’ with free music, throughout the rest of the day. From civic park, there will be free buses going to the race track, approximately every half hour.

Drouin have again been very fortunate, with very good fields of horse entries. With weather forecast to be fine, it should be a great day of racing. There will be free childrens activities, “Hatslotto”…. Where ANYONE wearing a hat can go into the random draw for prizes.  Children under 16 admitted free, Bar and refreshments on course, full TAB facilities.

After a wonderful day at the track, why not take the free bus back to town, and watch the ficifolia festival fireworks?

Racing’s Second Coming - This Sunday Feb. 10th at Alexandra.
If you are footloose and fancy-free come to the races on Sunday. Alexandra Race Club is racing this Sunday 10th February at the Hot to Trot Meeting. We’ve ordered fine, not wet, weather for our second attempt to launch the racing season.  It will be a great launch, with a combination of horse racing and foot racing. If they are up for it, the Alexandra footballers and netballers will compete in The 100m Dash for Cash providing patrons with an opportunity to gauge how the teams are shaping up for the season ahead. If you need more reason to trot along, the Dirty Rotten Mongrels will get you grooving along with some hot rock and roll.

It’s a day for movers and groovers and the dynamic young business people at Yarck are sponsoring so many races we considered renaming ourselves the Yarck Race Club.  The Yarck General Store and Yarck Hotel are sponsoring along with Koala Country Orchard. The secretary is from Yarck and Yarck Community Inc has serviced our meetings for years. The Alexandra Veterinary Clinic services Yarck, Other sponsors should be honorary members of the Yarck community, Bell Distribution provides small goods to the district and Cherry King and Christopher’s Orchards may not have anything to do with Yarck but would be most welcome as Yarck is such a generous, vibrant, community.

The gates open at Noon, First race is at 1:10 PM last at 4:30 PM. Tote van and bookmakers are available, Viv’s afternoon tea stall provides fantastic homemade food and the Lions run the BBQ & Bar. You can BYO but why bother with such excellent refreshments to hand. Entry $10, Conc, $5 Chn 15 and under free. For more information check out the website, www.alexandraraceclub.com.au.