Country racing at its best at Woolamai

PUNTERS placed their bets under the majestic old elms at the Woolamai racetrack on Saturday afternoon, hoping for a win or two. 

Grey skies and a slight breeze hinted at rain, but it stayed dry and mild for racegoers for the best part of the day. 

Picnic rugs spread out and picnic chairs lined up like horses at the gate, with cheese, salami, wine and beer close at hand.

Hopeful punters were lined up at the fence and even more were lined up at the bookies. 

The air was buzzing with casual chatter and happy banter and friends and family were enjoying the relaxed atmosphere - country racing at its finest. 

Six races were run with one of two memorial races jumping at 1pm.

The Micky Gordon Island Dash, the fifth time this race has been run, is in memoriam of Michael Gordon who passed away in 2018 and was a keen race goer and owner of horse Island Dash. 

Speedy Edie (8) lived up to his name to take out first place against four others, with Nathan Dunn as trainer and Shaun Cooper as jockey. Our Dawny (7) took out second place and third went to Gone Ahead (3).

It was a tight contest for the second race with Sleeping Tiger (3) and Maggie Rocks (10) neck and neck the entire field; Sleeping Tiger roared in and won by a nose, ridden by Debbie Weymouth with trainer being Rebecca Weymouth. Barringer (1) came in third for this memoriam race for long serving committee member of the Woolamai Racing Club, Rodney McAllister. 

Three horses took to the field in the third race with Mannerist (2) winning by a country mile against Yankee Banner (4) and Bonza Boots (1). Mannerist was ridden by Leigh Taylor and trainer was C & C Vidotto. 

Ladies on the fence took a few seconds to realise they’d placed the right bet, before yelling “We won! We won!”

Needa Bigger Boat (7) came home to beat Hesontherun (3) and Pieropan (2) in the fourth race sponsored by Ramp It Up – their second year sponsoring the club. Needa Bigger Boats trainer was John Gilligan and was ridden by Raymond Douglas. 

Strong Lady (5) proved her strength in the fifth race taking out the win and ridden by Shaun Cooper and trainer was Don Dwyer. In second place was Sky Warrior (3) and in third Strikeout (6). 

This race was run in honour of Robert Carmichael, President of Woolamai Racing Club for 15 years and who was involved in the amalgamation of Wonthaggi, Phillip Island and Woolamai Race Clubs in 1996. 

In the sixth and final race of the day jockey Shaun Cooper clocked up his third win on Red Stiletto (4) for trainer Monica Cid. Hawkestone (2) came in second and Continuation (1) ran third. 

A highly successful day of racing for Shaun and for many other happy punters and for those that lost, it was a fun and exciting day spent with family and friends at a great country event.