It’s the story of a community sticking together to run their local races despite the bushfires.
It’s also a story of a local seven-year-old racehorse, Firefree, who is now known worldwide as the horse who was taken to Buchan and cared for by owner, Robyn Sandy, under strict instructions from her husband, Peter.
“Peter brought him into town and said ‘the way things are looking this horse might be the only asset we have left – look after him with your life’,” Mrs Sandy said.
“So I slept under him all night.”
The two will feature on the new finishing post at the racetrack.
Omeo-bred Firefree, more affectionately known as Jeffrey as he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, is trained by Cliffy Murray, in Sale.
Currently having a spell at home at Canni Creek, he had a new set of shoes put on Wednesday by Peter and they went for a trot around the Canni Creek racetrack.
“Pete said the tracks feels really good,” Robyn said.
At the racetrack, the winning post, the railing and the judge’s box burnt during the bushfires on December 30, but it hasn’t been enough to keep a good race club down.
In fact, since a few minor fix-ups, the races will charge ahead on February 15.
“We had a meeting with Country Racing Victoria as to why the races should go ahead,” Mrs Sandy said.
“I told them, in case they hadn’t noticed, there’d been a lot of fire around lately, and it had frightened us all beyond belief.
“I said our tiny community had stuck together and these races needed to occur for us. Everyone can come but it’s a goodwill thing for us to have.”
Ironically, Firefree was named at the Sandy’s kitchen table five years ago because Canni Creek had never been burnt out. Over 58 starts the horse has won $280,000 in prizemoney.
It will be the 133rd year the Canni Creek Races have run, hosted by the Buchan and Gelantipy Racing Club, with the track inspected by Country Racing Victoria representatives and given the all-clear.
For Canni Creek’s secretary—manager, Ian Dunkley, the burnt finishing post is a symbol of the bushfires.
“We’ve stablisised the winning post and will retain it for race day,” Mr Dunkley confirmed.
“The Wakeful Club, representing ladies in racing, will sponsor the construction of a new winning post, on one side will be a picture of Robyn Sandy and Firefree and the other side an image of the old burnt out post.”
As Mr Dunkley puts it, there is “sub-story after sub-story to be told” in relation to the Cannis Creek races, up to 16 in his estimation.
Raceday will feature an exhibition gallop by Jungle Edge, as well as a race in memory of Noel ‘Nobby’ Pendlebury, who won the Buchan Cup 40 years ago with a horse called Calculator.
Mr Pendlebury, who died in 2013 from Motor Nuerone Disease, is also the grandfather of Collingwood captain, Scott Pendlebury.
Calculator was also part-owned by Ian Dunkley. Mr Dunkley said 1400 people had been the highest crowd but was expecting more in the order of 2500 people.
“Canni Creek has a population of nine – 10 if you count Firefree,” he said.
The Footballers Gift features runners sprinting down the home straight – the only condition being they don a Buchan Football Club jumper.
Unlike previous years, no caravans or campers are allowed at the racetrack but Mr Dunkley encouraged people to camp in surrounding towns or the Stonehenge Caravan Park near Buchan.
Buses will run from Bairnsdale from 9.30am through to Lakes Entrance and Nowa Nowa to Canni Creek, drop patrons off and then head to Buchan to pick up more racegoers.
As in previous years, all roads lead to the Canni Creek picnics, except for perhaps from Cann River way, check VicTraffic first.
The Sandys are still undecided about taking Firefree to the races.
Mrs Sandy said they lost 80 per cent of two properties and 100 per cent of a third, so they have a lot of fencing to do and the races to help run.
IMAGE: Standing tall despite its burnout, the finishing post at Canni Creek racetrack will feature a new design at the races on February 15. The roadside sign may have burnt beyond recognition but you won’t miss the racetrack. (PS)
