PICNIC CIRCUIT POPULAR WITH RELAXED RACING FRATERNITY

PICTURESQUE racecourse Healesville hosts the debut race of the Picnic Racing Season on Saturday, with a healthy attendance anticipated to launch the 2009-10 season.

Being unique events, the picnic races provide the ideal opportunity for people of all ages to relax in scenic environments while enjoying the laidback atmosphere and competitive racing circuit.

This meeting will be the first of seven meetings at Healesville for the season, with the fire-ravaged town keen to springboard a resurgence of summer visitors to the region throughout the picnic racing season.

Of the 39 picnic race meetings, numerous are held in Black Saturday fire-affected regions such as Healesville, Yea, Alexandra, Merton and Drouin. Mansfield hosts the first of 15 Picnic Cups on Melbourne Cup Day.

At Healesville on Saturday patrons can enjoy competitive horse racing that will be complimented by foot running races. Off the track, people can enjoy the animal farm, jumping castle and pony rides.

On Saturday there is plenty of racing action throughout Victoria with race meetings also at Wycheproof, Mortlake and Traralgon.

It is a feature race meeting at Mortlake with the running of the Moyne Shire Mortlake Cup, with the chance to escape the city for a weekend away.

Starting with a day at the races on Saturday, travellers can venture across to the jewel in the Moyne Shire to Port Fairy where you can enjoy a relaxing day in this historic fishing town located on the beautiful coastline.

At the races on Saturday patrons can enter the Sofitel Luxury Hotels Fashions on the Field that includes the Lily Boutique - Traditional Ladies Category, Country Attitude - Traditional Mens’ Category and Body Bronze - Best Accessory. There will also be free kids’ entertainment including a Jumping Castle, Slide and Olivine Hunt.

In the east of Victoria the locals of Latrobe Valley enjoy arguably the biggest social event of the year with Ladies’ Day at Latrobe Valley Racing Club, which is based in Traralgon.

Through the Club’s partnership with Traralgon Taxis, free travel applies from the Traralgon area (Airport Road to Minnedale Road) to the racecourse from 10am until 12:30pm on race day.

The Club’s partnership with Cargo Lounge ensures a free shuttle service (2 coaches) from the last race until the crowd has cleared from the track to the centre of town.

At the track there will be musical entertainment on the main marquee lawn by Luke Matthews and the Piece of Cake Trio, while patrons can enter the Ruby & Mr Brown Fashions on the Field with categories catering for women, over 40's and men.

For more information about country racing during the Spring Racing Carnival visit countryracing.com.au.