Report for Healesville 13th December 2008
Unfortunately for the Healesville club the weather gods did not shine and it was a very ordinary day, raining continously. This turned the betting ring and surrounds into slush and although Healesville do now have plans to enclose the betting ring and hopefully asphalt the ground along the lines of Balnarrings recent renovations it was all too late for this day. These amateur racing clubs under the care of enthusiastic volunteers do all within their financial limits to improve the facilities for patrons and bookmakers however they really do need some additional assistance from controlling bodies.

Despite this being amateur non-tab racing, many racing patrons frequent these meetings via Corporate Marquee events, betting via phones to Melbourne and Interstate racing as well as betting locally and contributing to overall racing revenue. Surveys have shown that approxiately 20% of racegoers at Picnic meetings are first time racegoers and it is important for the industry they have a good experience. Dedicated picnic racing followers, trainers, owners, jockeys and others are all racing enthusiasts who are also involved in racing generally and contributing and deserve better treatment than what is provided by current facilities.

The racing on the day was competitive with good fields and riding honors went to Leigh Taylor who rode a treble. After sitting on the sidelines for a lot of last season due to injury it was good to see Leigh boot home his share of winners.

For those punters looking to get the markets off course via the website and bet via phone for Healesville I apologise for not being able to provide that service yesterday. There was not adequate cover to have that computer active without risking the equipment in the rain.

Next week we return to Woolamai for their Xmas meeting and long range weather forecasts are predicting a perfect 25 degrees. Fields should be strong for this meeting and hope to see you all there.

Good luck on the punt,

Peter Bon

Race 1 was the first of Leigh Taylors treble and went to Sheza Ranga ($2-30 fav) who led all the way for a very easy win. This horse was heavily backed last start at Woolamai when beaten into 1st place by Caratime but with the extra run under the belt the Allison Sheehan trained 4yo mare looks to have a few more picnic wins in store based on this easy win.

Tate Modern at $4-40, trained by Brett Mallyon and ridden by Leigh Taylor won the third event to provide Leigh with the second win of his treble. Getting up on the inside at the turn the horse beat Burlington Academy who was heavily backed from $10-00 into $5-00 and looked like it was going to get the chocolates before weakening in the run home.

The consistent Gunnagetit at $2-40 favourite won the fourth race to give Leigh Taylor 3 winners from the first 4 races and provide him with his winning treble. Trained by Neil Robb this horse fought on strongly last start to just get beaten by the very smart Megaton at Balnarring before making atones today.

First up from a spell, Dancing Dragon at $4-20, ridden and trained by Adam Bodey took out the fifth race. This horse generally goes well fresh and appreciates the wet ground so conditions were ideal today for the 8yo gelding.

The final event was taken out by the lightly trained Step It Up at $4-60. Ridden by John Fitzgerald and trained by Allan Fitzgerald the 5yo gelding had only two prior starts and was returning to the track after nearly a year off and virtually led all the way for an easy win.

Full results for Healesville 13th December 2008. View the days happenings at the Picture Gallery.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Merton Picnic Races New Years Day Thursday 1st January 2008
What better way to spend New Years Day than recovering under the elms at Merton Picnic Races.
Picnic racing at Merton has been held at Merton since 1865 traditionally racing on New Years Day making us one of the oldest picnic clubs still racing. This picnic meeting attracts in excess of 1000 people many of them being visitors (tourists) to the area. ....more


Pakenham Picnic Races New Years Day
The Pakenham Picnic Racing Club will be conducting their famous New Years Day Picnic Race Meeting again on Tuesday, January 1.
The club first raced in 1875 and the day is always a great family and social occasion eagerly anticipated each year by parishioners, members and public, some who have been attending for many years. It is a festive occasion where many acquaintances are renewed and a relaxed spirit pervades the course and immaculate surroundings ....more

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

BETTING FLUCTUATIONS ONLINE
This season the betting fluctuations of races during the course of betting will be published to the Approx. Betting Odds section of the website. For patrons that cannot get to the races or betting ring and want an indication of the odds on offer before betting this is a great innovation.

You can then bet via the Racing Victoria Telephone Betting system. To open a Telephone Betting account with Peter Bon visit PicnicBet.com so you can avail yourself of this new capability.

m. for Mobiles
You can also access the odds from your mobile phone browser via the address m.picnicbet.com

Whether offcourse or oncourse, from the betting ring to the marquees to the stables you can readily get the markets and conveniently place a bet at either Peter Bon's Top Fluctuation or the current odds on offer.

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