Lockhart Picnic Races made a return to racing after a three year hiatus with horses once again gracing the track last week.

Racegoers gathered from as far as Melbourne to attend the event with around 1000 people filling the venue.

According to Lockhart Picnic Race Club’s President, Will Lane, the day was a great success for everyone involved.

“It looked like everyone had a great day and its definitely a relief to wrap up another great Picnic Race,” he said.

“It was a good atmosphere with big crowds watching each race in the grandstands – there was upwards of 1000 people and we ended up with around 30 horses racing across the five races.

“It’s the first time since I’ve been president of the club that we have had horses there so it was a bit of an unknown for me but I felt less and less pressure with each race that finished.”

Westminster Abbe trained by Steven Cunningham and ridden by Chelsea Hear was the day’s first winner followed by Riders Delight trained by Tony Carter-Smith and ridden by Shaun Cooper who took out the second race.

It was a great day for Victorian trainer Don Dwyer as his horses Steady Jam and Dishy’s ridden by Shaun Cooper dominated in races 3 and 4 and winning the major prize of $5,750.

Here Comes Chum trained by Mont Waters and ridden by Emily Waters wrapped up the track for the day after taking out first place in the final race of the day.

Fashions on the Fields also drew in a crowd of its own with a huge turnout in entrants for the six different categories which were judged by Becca Fulton, owner of Oh My Style in Albury.

Emma Lane, a member of the Picnic Races committee involved in coordinating Fashions on the Fields, commented on the array of impressive contestants.

“It was a real success, we had six categories and had outstanding entrants in each of them. We had a good representation from all around the region with the most popular being the children’s categories which was really lovely to see.

“It’s a really popular part of the Picnic Races, we had some great prizes and everyone just loves to see what’s going on.”

Each of the categories for the younger children received around 30 entrants each with youth vying for the win alongside their friends.

It was a great day for siblings as the Dhu family from Canberra took home wins in two categories with young Oliver claiming the boys Junior Racer category and Emily taking home the Teenager category.

Samantha and Clare Mooney from The Rock also shared a joint win in the girls Junior Racer category.

In the other categories, Dan Gooden and Zara Castellaz from Lockhart were named the most fashionable couple on the day.

Victorian woman, Lauryn Hernan was named Novice of the day and Elizabeth Paterson from Griffith wowed in the headwear category.

The most sought-after category of the day, Most Elegant Lady, was claimed by Melbournian Tamara Gilliland who took home a $1,250 prize. 

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 5 October 2023.