The Harden Picnic Race Club isn’t letting the grass grow under their feet with work done to the track in preparation for the 2017 Picnic Races undertaken on Sunday. The Perceval family used their tractor and speed tiller to rip the track up and the club would like to thank them for their efforts. The track will be left about a week before a scarifier will be brought in to smash up the larger clods. Two types of grass will be grown again this year including Victorian Perennial and Wimera Rye Grass. The combination proving a success. President Nathan Schofield said “It currently costs about $1200 in seed but that figure may be halved each year as some of the Perennial grass goes to seed and re grows itself.” The 2016 picnics received plenty of rain prior to race day which meant the track was downgraded to a Heavy 9. Visually the track was in splendid condition with the races attracting what organisers said was the biggest crowd in 10 years. An inside track has also been established to allow local trainers such as Mark Cummins and Robert Leitner to train on course along with other trainers. Harden’s biggest social event of the year looks set provide a lush green track again for trainers, horses owners, jockeys and spectators.