Report for Alexandra 8th March 2008
Due to the large amount of racing over the long weekend Alexandra field numbers were diminished with Towong and Hinnomunjie taking their share of the picnic horses to those meetings. Nonetheless, there were some very close finishes and competitive racing that made the day a success and once again the club should be congratulated for the organisation of the day.

The opening race went to the outsider of the field Honstar at $6.50. Honstar had always shown ability at the picnics with a second at Yea to the handy galloper Gleneve last season and found this a much easier event just beating Carefully and Noble Stranger in a close finish.

Finally, the consistent Barravore Lady won its maiden race in the second event at $2.70. The horse had run four seconds and two thirds in its last six races before breaking through in another tight finish to just beat the well backed Trap Dancer.

Race 3 went to the very good Our Sorsaledo Bay at $1.60 favourite who has now won five of its six picnic races, beaten in a photo at the other. From its favourable barrier draw Kane Harris was able to control the race in front and kick away on the turn to give nothing else a chance in the run home.

The final event went to Carlton Game at $1.40 favourite who has kept improving since a Geelong run back in October when beaten 32.5L in a 2400m maiden. The Stewards that day advised the trainer the horse needed to trial and be competitive. Credit to trainer David Burgess on getting the horse to continually improve and win the event.

Visit the Picture Gallery for an update on the days events. Results and Stewards reports are also available.

Report for Hinnomunjie (Omeo) 8th March 2008 by Bruce Willaton
A very good crowd turned up for the 2008 running of the Hinnomunjie races, the 132nd year of racing for the club. The weather was one again perfect with very warm conditions and with plenty to keep the patrons entertained including fashions on the field, aeroplane display including lolly drop, footraces etc, a great day was had by all.

The first race was a 1000m Maiden and the short priced Flaming Arch at $1.40 favourite with Anthony Boyd in the saddle proved too good in a keenly run race breaking his maiden status at his 14th start from the debutant in Eloquent Miss who ran well into 2nd place.

Race 2 was an Open 1000m dash and the very consistent Underfoot for Rebecca Wright at Sale was too strong at $4.40 from Kellybean & Grand Legend who filled the minor placings. Odds on favourite Ronrenza at $1.70 was beaten into 4th place. Underfoot's victory was the mare's 13th win from 44 starts and followed up from its recent victory at Drouin.

The third race was reduced to 3 runners due to numerous scratchings however local legend Captain Cosmic, in the all conquering Manning stable, who had won all of his 4 prior starts at Hinnomunjie made it 5 from 5 at $2.00 as he fought on tenaciously and grabbed stablemate Turning Yallah on the line. Turning Yallah put in a sterling performance and looked the winner half way down the straight but never under estimate Captain Cosmic. Leica Reason was disappointing in 3rd place as the $1.50 favourite.

Next was the big one, the 2008 Brian Delaney & Benambra Hotel Hinnomunjie Cup. This was a hotly contested race with Warrigal Tom being sent out a short priced $1.70 favourite due to his recent wins at Buchan & Healesville however Chatter Brooke at $2.70 ridden a treat by Anthony Boyd got up by the barest of margins to claim victory from the rapidly closing Warrigal Tom who made up a stack of ground in the final 50 metres. Legendary race caller Paul Langham couldn't separate them as the judges went for the photo. The Rob Gillahan trained Miss Gisborne was not far away in 3rd place.

Race 5 saw Right Note the $1.90 favourite, with Ben Wade riding, win in impressive fashion from Xaarsky & Urban Gypsy who filled the placings. Right Note was scratched from Race 3 earlier in the day which obviously proved to be the correct decision made by the trainer, Bill Pallot.

The final race, the get out stakes, saw a few horses running around for the 2nd time on the day including the winner Kellybean at $2.40 with Glenn Pattison riding him right out to the winning post. Kellybean had earlier gone down narrowly to Underfoot and obviously appreciated the extra 200m in this 1200m Open race. King of Grace ran a nice 2nd and Leica Reason was well back in 3rd place for the 2nd time on the day. Master Girl proved the big shock of the day finishing in last place at
$1.20 favourite.

Leading jockey for the day was Anthony Boyd with 2 winners whilst 6 different trainers had winners on the day.

Report for Balnarring 10th March 2008
Although cooler than Melbourne it was still a very hot day at Balnarring and unfortunately for the club the weather affected attendances. Patrons and bookmakers will be pleased to know that next season the club will have the betting ring sealed and shade sails providing relief from the elements. Although this does require a sizeable investment for the club it would be good for picnic racing if all clubs could look at this being done where currently no cover is provided to patrons and bookmakers.

The first event of the day went to the 3yo Eye Eye who settled a lot better in the run to win at the big odds of $13-00. Paul Koumis rider of the second horse All Pockets protested on the grounds of interference rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight but it was dismissed.

Deep Rule at $2-00 favourite won the second race and was ridden to perfection by Adam Bodey who from the inside barrier was able to get the run of the race.

Race 3 was another win for Adam Bodey on the $3-50 favourite Call You Back. A lightly raced 3yo who has now won two of its three race starts at the picnics.

Race 4 was diminished in numbers with three scratchings and was a difficult race to line up on form. Carrawyanda (see photos below) won the event at $5-50 from the even money favourtie Hussonetta.

Report for Swifts Creek (Tambo Valley) 10th March 2008 by Bruce Willaton
There seems to be a fairly consistent tale with the weather in this part of the state but once again, Swifts Creek put on a beauty with hot sunny weather, a great crowd in attendance and with entertainment for all including the infamous Rooster Call for the kids, all made for a great days racing. Most of the horses were backing up from Hinnomunjie on Saturday.

Race 1 was the 1000m Maiden and it was a keen affair between the 5 runners. Eloquent Miss was sent out $1.85 favourite after his close up 2nd on the Saturday but it was outsider Ferruzano at $6.00 who brought home the bacon with John Fitzgerald in the saddle. Eloquent Miss and Lord Ensay ran 2nd & 3rd respectively.

The second race was a repeat of Saturday with Underfoot, despite a 1kg penalty, being too good once again as the $1.85 favourite and landing John Fitzgerald an early riding double. Grand Legend ran into 2nd place and Doraemon, who trainer Kerry Eveleigh of Bairnsdale only brought up for the day, managed to sneak into 3rd place.

Flaming Arch, who won the Maiden at Hinnomunjie and was confidently not nominated for the Maiden at Swifts Creek, was sent out in Race 3 as a $3.80 chance and duly saluted for trainer Rodney Wallace of Pakenham in a competitive 7 horse field. This was Karen Gillahan's first winner for the weekend and was well deserved as the Gillahan's (based in Ensay) are great supporters of the Alpine racing weekend. The two Manning horses Turning Yallah & Xaarsky filled the minor placings with Xaarsky starting $2.40 favourite.

Race 4 was the big one, the 113th running of the Nullamunjie Olive Oil Swift's Creek Cup. This time, the class horse of the field Warrigal Tom $1.70 favourite reversed the result from Saturday and got up for victory on the line from a tenacious Sang Bleu at $3.50. Last years winner Ensay trained by Margaret Scott of Bairnsdale was in the finish as well filling 3rd place. Winning jockey John Fitzgerald obviously enjoyed winning the Cup and landing a treble as he waved his whip to the crowd on the winning post. Jockey Peta Tait on 3rd placed Ensay fired in a protest for interference against the winner in the straight but this was later dismissed by the judges and the all clear was given.

The 5th race was a small field of 3 runners over 1200m, a Restricted (2) handicap. This was a big chance for the 3 horses to nail a victory after being unsuccessful earlier in the weekend. Once again, Karen Gillahan was to the fore and drove Urban Gyspy trained by husband Rob to the line a winner at $1.60 favourite. Red Rolls Royce was not all that far away in 2nd place whilst Eloquent Miss appeared to struggle mid race and was beaten a long last but also into 3rd place.

The closing race for the day and the weekend was Race 6 and the form from Saturday held up well. Once again, Kelly Bean at $2.60 with Glenn Pattison riding proved to be too strong with the ageless 9 year old Captain Cosmic close up in 2nd place as $2.40 equal favourite. Miss Gisborne ran consistently into 3rd place. The other $2.40 equal favourite, Master Girl, once again disappointed into 4th place.

Riding honours for the day went to John Fitzgerald with a treble and Karen Gillahan with a double. Training honours went to Rodney Wallace of Pakenham with a double.

Next Meeting
Yea Cup on Saturday 15th March 2008.