Picnic races return

PAKENHAM Racing Club will continue its 135-year old tradition by hosting the family-oriented and history-rich Pakenham Picnic Cup on 1 January.
The New Year’s Day races has something for everyone – kids, fashionistas and punters – and there’s a chance to win a $1300 Panasonic TV.
Camp Australia will be conducting children’s activities from midday to 4pm, while the famous children’s races will run on the course during the afternoon where every child wins a prize.
The crowd favourite – Fashions on the Field – will be run during the afternoon in the grandstand and this year’s theme, country-style, is sure to turn some heads.
Mick Carroll and Peter Blackwood will be conducting a Punters Club, betting on all the local and Flemington races.
Racing pundits can expect a strong six-event amateur race meet, including the 1300m David Bourke Picnic Plate, the time honoured 1750m G. and K. O’Connor Pakenham Picnic Cup and the 1000m Trevor Lineham Open Sprint Handicap over.
The David Bourke Picnic Plate, in its sixth running always draws a strong field and is once again sponsored by the Pakenham Racing Club. The race honours racing and community legend, David Joseph Bourke, whose presence around this town and in all aspects of racing will never be forgotten.
Past winners of the highly regarded picnic-race includes 2008 horse Warragul Tom and 2009’s Purge, both going on to win Picnic Horse of the Year in the same season.
Last year’s winner Sheza Ranga, has been set for the event again this year and she will try to make it back to back victories in the race. Sheza Ranga has won at the New Year’s Day fixture twice now, winning the 1750 metres restricted three in 2009 and taking out the Picnic Cup last year.
The Trevor Lineham Open Sprint Trophy Race is also in it sixth running. It is named in honour of the club’s former vice-chairman and picnic racing personality and aficionado and should attract the best sprinters on the picnic circuit to participate.
Entertainer Marceau Camille will be on track to sing his great range of songs and should provide great entertainment for the families during the afternoon.
The Pakenham Racing Club will also host leading trainer Quinton Scott and racing legend Mick Robins who are both hoping to have a couple of runners at the meeting.
Quinn won the Picnic Cup in 1996 with Keen As, while Robins – legendary trainer of Rain Lover and dual winner of the Melbourne Cup (’68 and ’69) – will be mingling with the crowd trackside.
Robins used to be foreman for Tony Noonan, but will just be part of the crowd this year.