Festive fun at Horsham Racecourse

Racegoers will embrace the Christmas spirit at Horsham Racecourse on Sunday for the annual MIXX FM Santa Day Races.

The day offers Wimmera and district people an opportunity to celebrate the festive season with friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

Several businesses, organisations and groups take the opportunity to host end-of-year celebrations at the meeting, which offers plenty of entertainment on and off the track.

This year’s event will feature live music from Acousticus Stomp, a fashions on the field competition, children’s foot races and a visit from Santa. Gates open at 11am, with racing from 12.28pm to 4.25pm.

People can visit www.countryracing. com.au to buy tickets. Tickets cost $16 online or $20 at the gate.

Burnvale breaks maiden

Horsham trainer Paul Preusker’s rich vein of form looks set to continue into the festive season after he recorded a winner at Stawell on Saturday.

The Preusker yard had Burnvale Lady lining up in a 1300-metre maiden plate, with Lewis German riding.

The lightly raced six-year-old didn’t have a lot of early speed and settled well back in the field.

Burnvale Lady continued to be ridden quietly and gradually made ground before the home turn.

The daughter of Shaft was one of the widest runners balancing up. Despite this Burnvale Lady let down with a strong run.

She eventually dashed clear for an impressive long-neck win.

Although Burnvale Lady made a late start to her racetrack career, her owners can look forward to some good times ahead.

Smith’s double

Another Wimmera trainer in good form of late is Stawell’s Dane Smith.

Smith trained a winning double at his home town’s Santa Races.

Firstly Tre Dieci represented the stable in a 2000-metre event at 0-58 level. Ridden by Jarrod Fry, the seven-year-old was allowed to roll to the lead and controlled the race beautifully.

Tre Dieci upped the ante at the 600-metre mark and had all his rivals off the bit. The Son of Ratki was too strong in the run home scoring a length win. Smith had to wait until the final event to complete his double, when represented by Our Dexter in a 1300-metre race, also at 0-58 level and again with Fry riding.

In almost identical fashion to his stable mate, Our Dexter dictated the race throughout.

The veteran son of Monde Bleu travelled like the winner a long way from home. Our Dexter recorded an easy win by two and a half lengths.