Horses run in front of no crowd on Boxing Day

Riley’s Rocket took out the Drouin Cup at the Drouin Boxing Day Races held with a difference on Saturday.

Drouin Picnic Racing Club president Warren Lowrie said the day went well with about 30 horses racing across six events. However, “it was certainly different without a crowd”.

The annual event is traditionally a chance for locals and those returning to the region to socialise and catch up over the Christmas break.

With no crowd due to COVID-19, Mr Lowrie said this year’s races didn’t hold the same atmosphere.

The club decided to go ahead with the six-race program to give the horses a run. The program was shortened with a 1pm start and the final race at 3.55pm.

The main race, the Drouin Cup, was won by Riley’s Rocket ridden by Grant Seacombe and trained by Tabitha Cunningham. The horse won ahead of I’m Peter and Hard to Kiss.

Mr Lowrie said feedback from those on course was good after “the track came up pretty well”.

He said the committee would now focus on next year’s event with the aim of having a crowd.

“We’ll put a fair but of effort into next year to make it bigger and better, and try to make up for this one,” he said.