Picnic Races
November 23rd 2009 08:04
Picnic racing has a long history in Victoria and dates back to the eighteen hundreds. It is the poor (in practical and monetary terms) cousin to the high stakes racing held at the premier Victorian racetracks of Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Sandown. It is even lesser in standing to the many provincial racemeetings held around the state at places such as Geelong, Kilmore, Cranbourne or Bendigo. It is the lesser form of thoroughbred racing.
(photo: Neil Murray)
Yet picnic racing is thriving. The relaxed rural atmosphere and setting is a major drawcard at picnic venues ranging from Yea and Alexandra in the high country north of the Great Dividing Range, to Woolamai near Phillip Island. Across Victoria thousands flock to these rural racetracks, and literally enjoy a picnic while enjoying the keen competition of horse racing in a different theatre. The stakes are less - but the competition for victory just as fierce.
Picnic racing allows skilled amateur jockeys the chance to compete - with weight scales far more lenient than those at Flemington - and a chance to show their own horsemanship and riding styles.
Picnic racing allows the (much) lesser lights of thoroughbred racing another chance to share in racetrack glory that has evaded them in a traditional racing career. It is possible for a thoroughbred to compete at both picnic racing (obviously having success) and then race at the much higher metropolitan level. But it is rare.
Neil Murray ventured to Woolamai last Saturday and took a series of photographs. One thing to note is the ‘heel in the iron’ traditional riding style, as opposed to the modern elite jockey who rides with barely a toe in the iron supporting his (or her) weight.
(photos: Neil Murray)
The December calendar has 7 picnic racemeetings programmed for Victoria:
Saturday 5th Balnarring
Sunday 6th Woolamai
Saturday 12th Healesville
Saturday 19th Yea
Saturday 26th Drouin
Sunday 27th Woolamai
Monday 28th Mansfield
A full list of race dates can be found at picnicracing.com.au.
Picnic races are run under restricted highweight conditions with the minimum weight being 63.0kg and within the following race classes:
Restricted Trophy Race 1
For horses which at the time of starting have never won a race on the flat of the value to the winner of more than $2000.
Restricted Trophy Race 2
For horses which at the time of starting have not won more than 2 races on the flat and further provided that neither of these races was worth more than $6000 to the winner.
Restricted Trophy Race 3
For horses which at the time of starting have not won more than 3 races on the flat and further provided that the 3 wins shall only be comprised of their first win (any value) and/or any other races worth no more than $2000 to the winner.
Open Trophy Race
Open to all horses. Except that the first win of a horse shall count as a Maiden all other wins in "Trophy Races" do not count when determining the class of a horse (ie. Class 1-6).
Here is a video of the Woolamai Cup of 2009. Soak up the atmosphere:
The field turns for home at Woolamai
(photo: Neil Murray)
Yet picnic racing is thriving. The relaxed rural atmosphere and setting is a major drawcard at picnic venues ranging from Yea and Alexandra in the high country north of the Great Dividing Range, to Woolamai near Phillip Island. Across Victoria thousands flock to these rural racetracks, and literally enjoy a picnic while enjoying the keen competition of horse racing in a different theatre. The stakes are less - but the competition for victory just as fierce.
Picnic racing allows skilled amateur jockeys the chance to compete - with weight scales far more lenient than those at Flemington - and a chance to show their own horsemanship and riding styles.
Picnic racing allows the (much) lesser lights of thoroughbred racing another chance to share in racetrack glory that has evaded them in a traditional racing career. It is possible for a thoroughbred to compete at both picnic racing (obviously having success) and then race at the much higher metropolitan level. But it is rare.
Neil Murray ventured to Woolamai last Saturday and took a series of photographs. One thing to note is the ‘heel in the iron’ traditional riding style, as opposed to the modern elite jockey who rides with barely a toe in the iron supporting his (or her) weight.
Trojan Of Troy (K Harris) charges away to win at Woolamai
Sheza Ranga (L Taylor) holds out Questrian (K Harris) to win the last race at Woolamai
(photos: Neil Murray)
The December calendar has 7 picnic racemeetings programmed for Victoria:
Saturday 5th Balnarring
Sunday 6th Woolamai
Saturday 12th Healesville
Saturday 19th Yea
Saturday 26th Drouin
Sunday 27th Woolamai
Monday 28th Mansfield
A full list of race dates can be found at picnicracing.com.au.
Picnic races are run under restricted highweight conditions with the minimum weight being 63.0kg and within the following race classes:
Restricted Trophy Race 1
For horses which at the time of starting have never won a race on the flat of the value to the winner of more than $2000.
Restricted Trophy Race 2
For horses which at the time of starting have not won more than 2 races on the flat and further provided that neither of these races was worth more than $6000 to the winner.
Restricted Trophy Race 3
For horses which at the time of starting have not won more than 3 races on the flat and further provided that the 3 wins shall only be comprised of their first win (any value) and/or any other races worth no more than $2000 to the winner.
Open Trophy Race
Open to all horses. Except that the first win of a horse shall count as a Maiden all other wins in "Trophy Races" do not count when determining the class of a horse (ie. Class 1-6).
Here is a video of the Woolamai Cup of 2009. Soak up the atmosphere:
| 48 |
| Vote |
