• Mountain Views Mail
• Upper Yarra Mail

By Kath Gannaway

2nd March 2010 02:00:15 AM

HvilleRace_43679_12: The Wills family from Yarra Glen enjoyed a day out at the Healesville races. 43679

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A RECORD crowd at Healesville Races on Saturday confirmed what club president John O’Neill already knew – picnic racing is on a roll.

“Every inch of available space was pre-sold and we got a good turn-up through the gate on the day,” said Mr O’Neill who just last year led the Healesville Amateur Racing Club’s fight against proposals by Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria to halve the number of meetings at the popular venue.

Ultimately the club proved its case and while it can’t claim an outright win it beat what seemed stiff odds to retain all but one meeting. From next year the club forfeits its popular Easter Saturday meeting.

Mr O’Neill said even the rain, which washed out the cricket and the tennis, didn’t deter keen racegoers.

“People stayed around despite the drizzle and the new, covered bookies arena worked a treat,” he said.

Mr O’Neill said the affordability of picnic racing, compared with the city and larger country meetings, was a major factor in the growing attendances, along with the “up close and personal” atmosphere at tracks such as Healesville’s.

The coming Easter Saturday meeting will be the last for the season, and the last Easter meeting for the foreseeable future.

“It’s another event lost to the valley on a long weekend, and that’s a pity,” Mr O’Neill said.

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