Report for Balnarring 8th November 2008
It was back to Balnarring for the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival and nothing was more welcome than the improvements made to the betting ring. The entire ring has been covered with sails and sealed with asphalt. When we hit those hot days in summer this should improve the amenity for patrons wanting to visit the betting ring.

The riding honours of the day went to Shane McGovern who snagged four winners with the remaining two races going to Adam Bodey. Shane has already notched six winners in the first three meetings of the season compared with last year when he rode nine for the entire season.

Race one was a disappointing event with only two runners and the Neil Robb trained Jack's Palace who won last week at Healesville saluted again at $1-80. Shane McGovern took up the rails running whilst Kane Harris settled Ensay on the outside but could not match the winner in the final run to the post.

The Dianne Clover trained Rapid Thrill was sent out a shortpriced $1-70 fav after being well backed. Under the guidance of new apprentice jockey Dani Walker the horse went wide on the turn and came right down the outside rail to just fail in a photo from Blackbook, another who won at Healesville last week.

Race three was an upset with the rank outsider in a small field of five Tidal Spirit at $15-00 getting the money. Trained by the winner of last years "Picnic Trainer of the Year" David Brown and ridden by Shane McGovern this 5g won easily despite running first up after a 224 day spell.

Another first up runner Spanish Ruler trained by Des Douch and ridden by Adam Bodey won the fourth race at $4-00. The first starter, 3yo colt Caratime was well backed to start $3-00 favourite but disappointed after being caught wide in the running to finish second last.

The final event went to the Nancy Butterworth trained Shomari at $1-90 fav, ridden by Adam Bodey and providing him with a double for the day. Heavily backed in from $2-70 the result never looked in doubt as 6yo gelding continued its winning form after winning last week at Healesville.

Full results and stewards report for Balnarring 8th November 2008. Bit light on with photos in the Picture Gallery this week as the photographer had a sick day.

The Story of Herbie, Oscar, Gordie and the Owner
A very entertaining story written by Brian Cain the owner of Super Shag and how his horse brought the thrill of racing to connections and the crowd to their feet in the last race at Healesville on Derby Day. Full story....

Report for Mansfield Melbourne Cup Day 4th November 2008
The annual Melbourne Cup day meeting as Mansfield was again a great success for the club with a large crowd in attendance. The day belonged to Adam Bodey who rode 5 winners from the 6 races and the local punters just kept wanting to put the money on him.

In Race 1, first starter Dirty Sweet trained and ridden by Adam Bodey got up in a photo after looking beaten halfway up the straight. Securing the rail from the start Dirty Sweet was able to bowl along and dictate the pace for a good first up effort to just hang on from Burramine Legend.


Better Than One trained by David Burgess and ridden by Adam Bodey easily won the second race skipping away on the turn and winning by 5L.

Race 3 saw another easy win to Adam on the favourite Megaton who led all the way and raced away to a 5 length victory.

The consistent picnic performer Seto Sapphire trained by Anthony Bolden brought up Adam Bodey's fourth straight winner. Jumping from barrier one he secured a good possie on the rail and was just too slick for them turning for home to race away up the straight.

The Mansfield Picnic Cup was won by local trainer Gerald Egan's promising 4yo gelding Testatiga. Kane Harris was the winning jockey and with plenty of horse underneath he was able to control the race and win with something in hand.

The final event saw the Bodey show continue with a victory on Carlton Game. A credit to trainer David Burgess who at one stage had Stewards declaring the horse needed to "be competitive" before competing again. The horse has continued to improve and has now won three of its last four picnic starts.



Full results and stewards report for Mansfield. Visit the picture gallery for the days photos.

Report for Healesville Derby Day 1st November 2008
The Healesville Derby Day meeting has gone from strength to strength and with perfect weather a large crowd turned out to relax in the beautiful surrounds of the Healesville picnic racecourse. Although some of the race fields fell away to only three starters there were some close finishes across the line.

Race one went to the Neil Robb trained Jack's Palace at $3.60 ridden by Shane McGovern who led them most of the way to hold off the fast finishing Super Shag. The favourite Acquolino tried to make a race of it at the 400m but weakened to finish 3rd.

There was nothing between Hussonetta and Angel's Kiss during the course of the betting until late money for Angel's Kiss saw it firm into the $2.20 favourite and Hussonetta get out to $3.20 after opening as favourite. They went to the line together with Hussonetta getting the nod by a neck to give jockey Simon Stoll and trainer Peter Cook an early winner.

The third was a small field of three and the short priced favourite Shomari at $1.60 ridden by Adam Bodey and trained by Nancy Butterworth always had them covered in the running to win convincingly. Adam Bodey who won the jockeys premiership last season once again getting off to an early start.

Race four with a small field of three runners saw the ever consistent Leica Reason take up his favourite role in front and lead them a merry dance to win at $2.30. The favourite Divine Providence had every chance to run down the winner but was not up to the task today. Ridden by Sarah Sutherland and trained by Robert Lont this horse has now won 7 picnic races.

Shane McGovern on the Jason Ashby trained Blackbook landed a double winning the fifth at the good odds of $5.00. Benzmark was a heavily backed favourite in the race but disappointed with the consistent Lay Back Lad running into second.

The last event went to Super Shag at $2.60 who despite running second in the first event of the day fronted up in the last to duly salute. Shiralee Waddell had ridden three seconds coming into the race and outrode them to steal the show on the Gordon Strang trained galloper.

Final 200m of Blackbook winning the fifth race.
Video courtesy of Video Air Services, servicing all your picnic video & photography needs.

Full results for Healesville 1st November 2008 and Stewards report. Visit the Picture Gallery for the days photos.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Full Picnic Race Dates for 2008 -2009 Season
Full Race Program for 2008-2009 Season