Races can’t be beaten

By Kath Gannaway
THE pounding of hooves on the Healesville racetrack on Saturday was only marginally louder than the collective sigh of relief of the HARC committee.
The Healesville Cup, which attracted a crowd of around 3500 people, was the first race meeting at Healesville for 10 months after the first three races this season were flooded out.
Club president John O’Neill said the committee, officials, volunteers – and no doubt regular racegoers – were happy when the gates opened and the only water to be seen was well contained within the banks of the nearby Watts River.
“With Yarra Glen not running thoroughbreds, apart from the trots there have been no gallops in the valley for a long time, so I think people were just happy to be able to go to a race meeting,” Mr O’Neill said.
“The little bit of rain we did get during the week was ironically a bit of a bonus because the track was rated a dead 4, ideal racing conditions.”
The cup was the highlight of the six-race card and was won by Kilmore-trained Music Lover, riden by Seymour jockey Shiralee Waddell.
Mr O’Neill said it was a race befitting the ‘cup’ title with an eight-horse field, a competitive run and a tight finish, giving the crowd plenty of reason to ride their horses home from the fenceline.
Visitors came from all over Melbourne, as far away as Brighton, Williamstown and Warragul and even from Singapore, with lots of groups making the races at Healesville a family, club or corporate event.
“When we do get it right, it’s an international event,” Mr O’Neill joked.
“We’ve got a lot to offer visitors, and it’s a great mix with a lot of locals who always support us.”
The next scheduled race meetings at Healesville are Sunday 5 February, and Saturday 3 March, with an additional meeting on Saturday 24 March allocated to make up for the washed-out meetings earlier in the season.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a race for the March meetings, booking a marquee, roped-off area or organising catering can get details from the website www.healesvilleraces.com.au or phone function co-ordinator Michelle Purvis on 0403 200 550.