Report for Yea 22nd November 2008
The weather was not looking great upon leaving Melbourne but as so often is the case once you get over the Great Dividing Range things brighten up and it was fine and mild at Yea. Large fields were the order of the day as we headed back to Yea for their first meeting of the season. The track was in perfect condition for racing after recent rains and the racetrack looked a treat. The only thing spoiling the day was the new "innovation" of separating the licensed alcohol area from the non licenced where a temporary barrier was erected around the betting ring and bar area with security guards at two entrances. A ridiculous situation for Picnic Racing demonstrating the outcome of bureaucratic decisions not in tune with the practicalities of the situation.
The Adam Bodey show continued with the hoop riding a treble taking his tally for the season to an amazing 16 winners from 33 rides. Great for punters, terrible for bookmakers !! The other three races were shared amongst Paul Koumis, Shane McGovern and Rob Kirkpatrick.
A double header next week with racing at Balnarring on the Saturday and then back to Woolamai. Early weather predictions look good with a long range sunny and mild forecast so hope to see you there.
Good luck on the punt,
Peter Bon
  
Race 1 was an open affair with Bank Guaranteed being sent out the easing $3-00 favourite. It was in trouble early settling well back in the field and travelling poorly like most Banks nowadays. Paul Koumis booted the Jim Scott trained Alcosta clear halfway up the straight to win well at $7-00. 
Niptious was well backed into even money favourite in the second and came home late but could not catch the Adam Bodey ridden Better Than One who was trained by David Burgess. This horse won a previous picnic race on Melbourne Cup Day at Mansfield by 8 lengths and has clearly improved this time in work.
The Luke Oliver trained Benzmark won the third race at $3-60 after $5-00 was bet. This horse was well backed at Healesville on Derby Day when it would not settle in the running and finished second. It made up for it today with Shane McGovern taking the horse to the front shortly after they jumped for an all the way win.
|
