THE annual Dederang Picnic Races, a charity meeting run entirely by volunteers, were held last Saturday, attracting a record crowd of racegoers.

The gate was up on last year’s raceday, perhaps because the weather was not as hot and the equine flu epidemic no longer affects events at Victorian racetracks.

The Dederang racetrack has recently had a new judges’ box installed, and was using photo finish for the first time.

Of the six races on the day, the feature race is the fifth, the Milestone Dederang Cup Open Trophy Race, run over 1650 metres and offering $3500 in prize money, plus a trophy.

The finish was extremely close, but Roy’s Legacy made a great effort to win from Lyle Be It and last year’s winner, Bonserada, with a time of 1 minute 40.95 seconds.

Alpine Shire mayor, Nino Mautone, who was there to present the trophy to the winner of race six, said the shire was proud to support such a well-known and successful day in the racing calendar, and thanked and congratulated the race club committee and all the volunteers.