By Renee Wood
Racing made its way back into the region on Thursday 3 November at the Yarra Glen racecourse for Yarra Valley Racing’s Pacing and Trotters Cups on Oaks Day.
The racecourse was lucky to get the cups over the line after the Melbourne Cup day meet was cancelled due to the weather and flooding in the area.
Yarra Valley Racing CEO Brett Shambrook said it was great to have people at the track after getting through a few obstacles.
“We were flooded a couple of times in the last few weeks, so it was all touch and go as to whether we’d be able to race but the team’s done a terrific job and getting the track back safe for racing,” Mr Shambrook said.
The outside marquees were cancelled due to Thursday’s weather with those booked moving up into the member’s lounge.
Meanwhile the dining room was filled with a crowd that had travelled from near and far.
Attendee Kylie Christian was part of a large group of women who made the journey from the Hurstbridge area to celebrate the traditional ladies day.
And with ladies day being all about the fashion, Ms Christian’s Pretty Woman inspired outfit stood out amongst the rest.
“When I saw the dress, it just reminded me of like Pretty Woman and I googled that and saw what type of hat she wore and tried to replicate that a little bit,” Ms Christian said.
The club committee was also grateful to have crowds back on track after two years without any punters allowed during pandemic restrictions.
“A racecourse without a crowd is pretty soulless so now it’s fantastic to have the crowds back,” committee member David Long said.
In the end, Hopeful Beauty Fra and driver Nathan Jack won the Trotter’s Cup and Torrid Saint with driver Jack Laugher claimed the Pacing Cup.
