This weekend there is a "double header" of picnic racing with the Healesville Cup on Saturday followed by Woolamai down by the sea near Philip Island. The weather prediction is 36deg. with a cool change in the morning to make for a fine afternoon at Healesville and 23deg. for Woolamai and with plenty of shade along with the new covered betting ring patrons should be well accommodated at both venues. There are few better ways to enjoy a relaxing day at the races where you can b.y.o. everything from drinks to food and even your own shade tent at these picturesque racecourses. As both days are expected to attract good crowds it is advisable to get there before noon to secure a good spot.

Shaded areas and the new covered betting ring at Healesville.

Shaded areas at Woolamai.

It has been a big couple of weeks on the picnic racing circuit with some of the highlights being:

Drouin 26th December 2009

• Maid of the Mist after winning the Yea Cup in track record time backed up and won the Drouin Cup
• Riding doubles at the Drouin meeting to both Kane Harris and Adam Bodey
• Danielle Daniel rode her second race winner
• Gunnagetit won yet another sprint race
  
  Full results for Drouin. Visit the picture gallery.

Woolamai 27th December 2009

• Another riding double to Adam Bodey and one to Paul Koumis
• Connections of Furbin pull off a large betting plunge backing the winner from $7 into $2-80
• New picnic trainer Colin Scorgie trains a double
• Just Jordie wins again and looks like a real improver
  
  Full results for Woolamai. Visit the picture gallery.

Furbin lands a big betting plunge.
Video courtesy of Video Air Services, servicing all your picnic video & photography needs.

Mansfield 28th December 2009

• Adam Bodey doubles his double and rides four winners
• Shiralee Waddell gets back in the winners circle with a double
• Hot day and only a small crowd turned out, fatal mistake of no b.y.o. for patrons did not help
• Past Melbourne Cup 2000 winner Brew led the horses out for each race
  
  Full results for Mansfield. Visit the picture gallery.

Adam Bodey provides a riding lesson to win on Jetera. Video courtesy of Video Air Services, servicing all your picnic video & photography needs.

Merton 1st January 2010

• 5 out the 6 favourites win with punters giving the bookies a lesson on how to pick a winner
• Gordan Strang takes out the Merton Cup with Lay Back Lad ridden by Shiralee Waddell
• Good crowd turned out to support the club which was under threat of closure
  
  Full results for Merton. Visit the picture gallery.

Lay Back Lad wins the 2010 Merton Cup.
Video courtesy of Video Air Services, servicing all your picnic video & photography needs.

Pakenham 1st January 2010

• Another double to Bodey, the rest of the races shared around
• Sheza Ranga rolled along on its merry way leading throughout to win in good style
  
  Full results for Pakenham.

Dederang 2nd January 2010

• Robert Anderson ventures into Victorian Picnic Racing and rides a treble
• Step It Up goes too fast for them yet again and wins the sprint by six
• Firetime burns up the track to take out the Dederang Cup
  
  Full results for Dederang. Visit the picture gallery.
  

Balnarring 3rd January 2010

• Raymond Douglas boots home a double on Cool Change and Promotion
• Big holiday crowd turned out for the day which was better suited to racing than the beach
• The girls give the boys a riding lesson in race 3 riding the quinella, Sarah Sutherland on the winner
  
  Full results for Balnarring. Visit the picture gallery.