Report for Woolamai Saturday 23rd February 2008
Woolamai conducted its final meeting for the season and although the weather was a bit mixed a good crowd was in attendance for an eventful day. There were plenty of activites for the kids with jumping castles and face painting. Some even thought that Santa Claus had arrived to enjoy the day but the kids weren't fooled without the big white beard and red hat.

Race 1 went to the consistent Purge at even money favourite. Jessica Maroni pushed the horse to the front out the back forcing the others to chase given the horse clearly had the ability to hold out the opposition and won well.

Race 2 went to Xaarsky at $7-00. The horse had the past form to win but disappointed first up last week at Buchan and was reported as needing the run. Clearly that run made a bit of difference as the horse led them up turning for home and won easily.

Race 3 was a surpise even to jockey Kane Harris when Fleeced stormed down the outside to pick up Grand Legend and win in a tight photo. Fleeced, better known as a distance horse was returning from a spell and not expected to be suited over the 1000m.

The final event looked on paper a little tricky and proved to be with the rank outsider The Recruit winning by a big margin of 5 lengths at $15-00. Hard to understand how this horse won let alone by 5 lengths when looking at its past form but clearly improved at some point and although the race was not strong did win well outstaying the opposition.

Visit the Picture Gallery for an update on the days events. Full results and stewards report also available.

Report for Yea Sunday 24th February 2008
Yea St. Pats Cup meeting is always a top event with Skilled Engineering sponsoring the main event and bringing many patrons to the course to take up picnic racing in style in the large catered marquees. The club really do need to be congratulated on the professionalism shown in conducting this event each year with organisation a top priority ensuring everything runs smoothly. The weather was fine as is often the case when getting over the Great Dividing Range and whilst Melbourne was cold it was a very comfortable day at Yea with competitive racing.

The first event went to Belongil who was well backed in the final stages of betting. Better suited at Yea and improved for the run at Drouin last start, trainer Dianne Clover turned the horse out in top condition to win well.

Race two was a close finish with Quantum Physics storming down the outside and turning the tables on the favourite Our Sorsaledo Bay who beat it at Alexandra to win in a photo.

The third race went to Proud Affair who led for most of the race to hold out the favourite Glorious Ruby in the run to the line. Once again the finish was fought out by the two leading jockeys Kane Harris and Adam Bodey with Kane getting the upper hand in the final stages.

The final event was won by the class performer of the race Distraction who settled at the rear rather than in its customary role on the pace to win well over Tate Modern despite having to lug 72kgs to victory over the 2100m.

Riding honours went to Kane Harris with a double on Proud Affair and Special Chance and helped him get a little further in front of Adam Bodey in the jockeys premiership.

Visit the Picture Gallery for an update on the days events. Full results and stewards report also available.

Next Meetings
Healesville Saturday 1st March 2008
Alexandra Saturday 8th March 2008
Join us for our most formal meeting of the season and celebrate the Alexandra Cup.  Stonelea Country Estate proprietor George Watkins and family provide, wonderful, world class accommodation and wonderful support for the Alexandra Race Club.
•   Beautiful country/ blues music by Judy Duryen.
•   Beautiful Frocks and Beautiful people.
•   Local, Melbourne and Interstate betting with the bookies or on the TOTE

• And we haven’t forgotten the children…….

Picco the Clown, Shirley’s Plaster Painting and Berry St will entertain the children through the day.

• Terrip Terrip Winery offers a great selection of their local wines
• Alexandra Lion’s Club is operating the bar and BBQ.
• Viv’s afternoon teas are a country delight.
• The Great Australian Icecreamery is cool.
• Gates open at Noon $10, $5 Conc, Cnn 15 and under free.

Visit the Alexandra picture gallery to get an idea of what is on offer at this picturesque country location.