Hobby horses make for a big day at washed out races

The Duck captured by part of the 6,000-strong crowd at the Duck Creek Races at Nyngan on Saturday. Photo: contributed

Story by Tricia Duffield

The Duck Creek Picnic Races in Nyngan may have been cancelled for the four-legged competitors on Saturday, but the event was still a huge success, even without the racehorses.

In fact, this year’s horseless Duck Creek race meet attracted a record crowd, with spectators determined to have one big party.

Duck Creek Picnic Races President Rowen Cleaver was still on a high, despite the disappointment of having the races cancelled due to poor weather and track conditions.

Broomsticks replaced the thoroughbreds to compete for line honours and the ‘Puddle Jumpers, seasoned jumpers and silver feathers’ were invited to get on their hobby horses to compete in the inaugural Duck Creek Picnic Races Hobby Horse Championship with $500 going to the winner of each race.

“Six thousand people turned up to the races, and we had a fantastic day. We couldn’t believe it and I think all the fields were full, with no scratchings,” Rowen said. […]

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