By Steve Cuff
THE annual Adaminaby Races has always been a highly social and popular event on the Snowy Mountains calendar, and crowds again flocked to the picturesque racecourse on November 23 for the 155th running of the race meeting.
The race day theme of Feathers, Frills and Finery certainly caught the imagination for those entering Fashions on the Field entrants with $3500 in prizes on offer.
On the track the punters were eager to find a winning bet on the six-race card on what was a hot and blustery day. There was concern that if the wind did increase it may have caused havoc with the marquees. Adaminaby Jockey Club President Lynley Miners commented he was cautious about how the weather would unfold during the day.
“The wind is bearable and it is keeping the flies away,” said Lynley.
“For drought conditions we are pretty happy with everything, the track’s not in bad condition, the horses are getting a good bit leverage there, pretty happy all round.”
Lynley said they had 20mm rain recently and the committee members had a watering regime to make the course presentable. The track was rated a firm 2 on the day.
When asked about the visitation on the day he said he had not seen exact numbers of the day but commented, “To walk out through the crowd it looks like everyone is having a pretty good time.”
The betting saw a flurry of activity in the ring with many seeking a winning bet on the local gallops. Plus the keen punters looking to bet on the major city meetings. Long time local bookmaker Roger Johnstone said there were many big punters on the day that he had not recognised before, ensuring they had a good holding on the day overall.
Local trainers had their share of entries, with Stephen Johnson from Cooma winning race three with his entry Chaste Angel and fellow Cooma trainer David Kelley placing third in the same race with his mount Tunnel Rat.
Georgie Boucher claimed a second place with The Diggings in race four plus a third placing in race six with Abington Threat. Cooma’s Wendy Heise had a second placing in race two and Becky Byrne returned a third place in race five.
Simon Miller was the most prominent jockey, winning two of the six races, with Troy Phillips, Bryan Murphy, Belinda Wright and Patrick Scorse claiming winning rides.
Fashions on the Field were highly sought-after accolades and for the extravagant few, it did not take much convincing to make the effort to stand out from the crowd. There were the serious fashionistas and those out for a laugh as it seems like race days bring out the best imagination and style, of which there was an abundance of both.
From tiny tots to couples, fancy dress themes and everything in between, there were some serious contenders and the judging was tight for many decisions.
Here is a selection of images from on the track and the field.
