HORSE RACING

NOT even an outrageous storm earlier in the week could keep the Balnarring Picnic races from going ahead on Saturday 6 November.

Just over 2,500 people attended the clubs first meeting back after lockdown but it couldn’t have gone ahead without the help of more than a dozen people who came to the clubs aid to fix the numerous storm damages days prior.

Multiple trees had fallen down around the country track with two breaking through the bar. The shade sail in the betting ring which was only put up the week before had to be repaired and about 800m of running rail also had to be re-fitted.

Balnarring Picnic Racing Club president Terry Mulcahy said he was incredibly proud to see so many come to lend a hand.

“To have the racetrack looking as good as it is after the storms earlier in the week is remarkable – it was a shambles,” he said.

“We had the working bee on the Monday and managed to clean it all up and it’s turned out a treat. We missed this meeting last year because of COVID so it’s a fantastic feeling to see everybody back out and enjoying themselves.”

In a turn of luck for the club, the forecasted rain managed to stay away for the entire meeting. 

The racing highlight of the day came from newcomer jockey Marie-Melodie Pomarede riding her first winning double at the meeting. She rode Dianne Clover’s Gem Edition to break her maiden by five-lengths before winning comfortably aboard Mark Stephenson’s Stirrup in the fourth event.

In a turn to normality, the crowd at the picnic meeting was up around what it was pre-covid. The club is anticipating to have 5,0000 spectators on course for their featured Balnarring Cup Day on January 26.

The club’s next meeting is on Saturday 4 December.

If you’re looking for a tip over the picnic racing carnival, Mulcahy could offer this: “Keep your money in your pocket and be kind to your mother.”

First published in the Mornington News – 9 November 2021