Punters flock to St Marys Pacing Club

The main race finished in a dead heat after Full Speed Ahead pulled up to the line even with Solid As A Rock.

After a one-year hiatus in 2017, the club returned the meet to its traditional New Year’s Day timeslot to the delight of racegoers. 

The harness racing meet saw people from all over the state descend on St Marys for the eight-race event.

“It's been a magical day and everybody seems to be enjoying themselves,” Mr Woods said.

“There are lots of familiar faces here, and so many people come back year-after-year – certainly people from the Fingal Valley area.

“Everyone knows New Year’s Day is St Marys races, and that’s where they go.”

However, the day wasn’t all smiles for everyone at the track on Monday.

Bookmaker Steve Walters said the day was a struggle for on-track bookies. 

“The punters are going really well today – I'm behind and they're in front,” he said.

“It’s still a really great day out, and there's some great horses racing today,”

By Stefan Boscia

Reprinted with permission of The Examiner