By PETER DOUGLAS
PICNIC race-goers enjoyed a stellar spectacle on Saturday as the Healesville Races lived up to its burgeoning reputation.
In the lead-up to the anticipated Golden Thong meet next month, the event attracted an estimated 3000 people, who took in a top day of relaxation and racing.
The event’s feature event, the RACV Healesville Country Blub Trophy, was hotly contested, with The Blue Angel, ridden by Toby Lake, bringing home a winner for trainer Ronald Tait.
Finishing close behind were Excitations, ridden by Courtney Pace, and Recriminate, ridden by Brendan Woodman.
Carrying a weight of 63kg, The Blue Angel helped produce a fantastic day for young apprentice Lake, who helped himself to a memorable treble.
His first winners, on Mayfair Mogul and Master Luca, came in the opening races of the afternoon.
The performance has helped to enhance Lake’s reputation as one of picnic racing’s top new talents.
Healesville Amateur Racing Club vice-president, John O’Neill, said the feature win had been a welcome surprise for the trainer of The Blue Angel.
Mr O’Neill said Tait initially had no intention of racing The Blue Angel.
“He only paid about $200 for it as a stock horse, but realised it could run really fast,” he said.
“The horse was a picnic races special.”
Mr O’Neill said such enjoyable meets continued to be a winner among fans.
“There were 200 guests in the RACV tent alone, not to mention the attendance of chief executives from both Country Racing Victoria and Racing Victoria.”
“It was another cracking day with the crowds as big as last year.”
Among the activities for the day included face-painting, jumping castle and pony rides.
The next major meet is on 28 March for the Golden Thong, an event that is climbing up higher on the ‘must-see list’ of picnic races.
