The Canni Creek Picnic Races took centre stage last weekend with a large crowd on course for 136th running of the historic Buchan Cup.
Buchan and Gelantipy Racing Club secretary, Ian Dunkley, was delighted with the event, with the second highest crowd in attendance ever recorded.
“It was an excellent day, everything ran like clock-work, making it possibly our best ever day,” Dunkley said.
“The crowd was second best highest ever, only topped by the return to racing after bushfires.”
The cup was taken out  by Mornington galloper, Laststrikeyourout, delighting owner/trainer Nicole Dickson and leading picnic jockey Shaun Cooper, who rode a treble on the card.
Cooper stalked the leaders, including favourite and second placegetter, Golwen, one of three runners in the race for last year’s winning trainer Troy Kilgower.
Cooma galloper, Gwennybegg, battled on strongly but both placegetters were no match for Dickson’s five-year-old mare who raced away late to win by three lengths.
Dickson was delighted to win her sixth picnic race with her improving mare.
“It was a great day, my first time at the Buchan races, they put on an outstanding day, she’s been unlucky a few times lately,” Dickson said.
It will likely not be the last time Dickson is seen in the High Country this year with the Hinnomunje Cup (Omeo, March 11) and Tambo Valley Cup (Swifts Creek, April 9) possible targets now Last-strikeyourout has shown her liking for racing at altitude.
“Omeo and Swifts Creek are quite possible, we had such a great trip and she handled so well,” Dickson said.
It was a great day for Bairnsdale trained gallopers, with three successful on the day.
Black Banjo saluted for Kasey Wilson, while Bon Torr Mer was an impressive winner for David Ferguson. Both were ridden by the Mornington-based Cooper. His treble saw him awarded the John Woodgate Memorial leading jockey award.
The most popular win was Mulua Man for Bairnsdale trainer Jackson Pallot and jockey Tyson Barton.
Kilgower took out the Gary Mitton Memorial trainer’s award, which was sponsored by top Warrnambool trainer Lindsay Smith, a good friend of Mitton’s.
Dunkley was appreciative and supportive of the work done by several local organisations.
“The Buchan Football Netball Club did a great job with the bar, as did the kindergarten and school with the barbecue, while the Rotary Club ran a great silent auction,” he said.
Fashions on the Field were popular with Leigh Mitchell taking out lady of the day, while tiny tot went to Melbourne’s Jonte Gregory.
The sprints and lolly drops were again popular with the large crowd. The open sprint went to young Matt Hamilton who was too fast for a large field that contained former AFL player, Jack Leslie. Marlo’s Leah McMahon proved too slick in the junior sprint.

Article Source: Bairnsdale Advertiser