1500 punters and race-goers from far and wide enjoyed a glorious sunny day at the 34th Harden Picnic Races over the weekend.
Attracting a field of forty-one horses, and visitors from as far afield as Sydney and the Central Coast, the races enjoyed an incident free run. The well-behaved crowd taking full advantage of the 19 marques for those seeking refuge from the beating sun.
Geography proved no barrier as 14 bookmakers took bets on local races, as well as on the Cox Plate and other Metro race meetings. The lucky ones being able to collect on-site on the winners of the Claas Harvest Harden Picnic Race Cup and the Cox Plate, Pointing to Gold and Adelaide.
A tremendous thank you goes out to the sponsors of the Harden Picnic Races, without whom the races would not be able to be held. The continued support of sponsors such as the Claas Harvest Centre and the Light Horse Hotel are greatly appreciated.
The Harden Picnic Races Committee – the backbone of the Picnics The Harden Picnic Races success is highly contingent on the small, hard-working Harden Picnic Race Committee. Their hard work and diligence is integral to the success and efficient running of the event.
However, the committee is facing some issues. Some members are not standing for positions next year and the club is looking for younger committee members to inject some youth and enthusiasm into the organisation and the race meeting itself. “We need some younger people involved and we need more people involved. We have some gentlemen in their late 70s and early 80s who do the whipper snipping and gardening,” said Race Secretary, Geoff Murray.
Some of the perks of membership include race entry and beverage discounts. However, one is expected to participate in working bees and attend meetings – of both the boardroom and racing variety.
The Annual General Meeting for the committee will be held in March. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the committee, or getting involved in the Harden Picnic Races, should contact the Judy Stewart on (02) 6386 2316.
Photo: Claas Harvest Dealer Principal Paul Spackman with winning trainer Brad Witt of ‘Pointing to Gold’ holding the Perpetual Harden Picnic Race Club Trophy.
