Tony ‘Tubba’ Williams took out the 2024 Harden Picnics Cup Aboard Tilted Tycoon.
The highly anticipated annual Harden Picnic Race Day, unanimously hailed as the “must attend” social event on the district’s calendar, is poised to draw hundreds, if not thousands, as it marks its 42nd Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
More than just a day at the races, the event is a major promotion for the district, regularly attracting crowds exceeding 1,500 people who travel from far and wide to enjoy the quintessential country atmosphere. The appeal of the Harden Picnics spans state lines,pulling significant crowds from metropolitan and regional hubs. Racegoers are expected to flock from Sydney, the Southern Highlands, the Australian Capital Territory, the South Coast, Riverina, Central West, and, of course, locally within the South West Slopes areas.
The day is anchored by a competitive six-event race card. Harden Picnic Race Club President Nathan Schofield is optimistic about the quality of the competition, hoping to field between eight and ten horses per race.
“It will be a six-race card, plenty of things to do for the kids with amusements, a family-friendly day,” Mr Schofield said. “If we get ten in the Cup, it’s always good. It’s a tough old game at the minute, but a lot of trainers travel from a long way, and the more the merrier.”
The event holds genuine appeal for horse owners and trainers, who appreciate both the strong competition and the rich prize money on offer. While the local races provide the main spectacle, bookmakers and a tote will also cover all metropolitan races, with Sky Racing providing television coverage of the MVRC Cox Plate meeting and other provincial events. Mr Schofield noted the possibility of adjusting the race card based on nominations, but confirmed, “It will be just a six-race card, and hopefully we can get fullish fields; it’d be great.”
Addressing track conditions, Mr Schofield was pragmatic, stating, “It (the track) could do with a drink, actually. Hopefully, we might get a little bit of rain beforehand; if not, it’d be right, it would be firm.” However, he was highly positive about the forecast, adding, “At the moment, it looks about mid-20s, which would be perfect and maybe a little bit of rain on Thursday to settle the dust in an ideal world.”
A Social Spectacle and Growing Success
The “Picnics” are celebrated for their unbeatable social atmosphere—a chance for friends, families, and colleagues to connect and have a good time. Many attendees use the race meeting as a vibrant backdrop to celebrate family reunions, special birthdays, and hens and bucks parties.
The strong social focus is evident in the booming interest in trackside marquees.
“There have been plenty of marques sold at the moment. Got a fair few bookings there,” Mr Schofield confirmed. “I think we’ve got a few more marquee bookings and that sort of thing than last year, so it is looking good, just hoping for a good day weather-wise.”
A major highlight is the fiercely contested Bendigo Bank Fashions on the Field, an event that always proves immensely popular. Entrants consistently “go above and beyond” to impress the judges, with competitors vying for a sensational total prize pool of $3,200 in cash.
This year, there is a new category for Local of the Day valued at $700, other categories include: Lady of the Day $850, Gent of the Day $500, Couple of the Day $500, Headpiece of the Day $450 and both Junior Male and Female worth $100 prize money each.
Logistics, Entertainment, and The VIP Experience
Logistically, the club has ensured a smooth day for attendees. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with the first race kicking off at 1:00 p.m. General Admission is an accessible $25. Food and beverage options are plentiful, with “a heap of food vendors, full barbecue facilities inside the pavilion, bar and TAB, Sky Racing,” according to Mr Schofield.
The club will also provide a convenient bus service to and from the track, and both EFTPOS and ATM facilities will be available on site. As the sun sets, the focus shifts to the post-racing festivities. DJ Liv will provide live entertainment from 4:00 p.m., setting the stage for the exclusive VIP After Party featuring ‘Stewy Barton’ (Stuart Barton’s band from Canberra).
The after-party begins at 7:00 p.m. and is a strictly over-18 event. Access to this extended celebration, which includes a live band and continues until around midnight, is secured by purchasing the combined VIP Party ticket for $50 (which includes all-day racecourse access).
With strong bookings, favourable weather predicted, and a packed itinerary of racing, fashion, food, and music, the 42nd Harden Picnic Race Day is primed to be an unforgettable social and sporting success.
– Tully Potts
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