With the gate takings in the vicinity of $32,000 and a crowd of around 4000 people, secretary of the Harden Picnic Race Club Mr Peter Campbell said, "This was the best organised day we have had.

We had a huge well behaved crowd with only one minor altercation."

The betting was a real feature of the day with very spirited competition between the largest number of bookmakers the races have had in the past 10 years.

The 18 local bookmakers turned over approximately $88,000 from the keen punters, which is well up on last year's figures as well as the metropolitan bookmakers turning over almost the same figures to give a general turnover of approximately 160,000.

The winner of the main event of the day, the Harden Picnic Race Club Cup was "Big Agent", trained by Roger Waters of Wanterbadgery and ridden by Robert Anderson.

Big Agent was one of the top weights in the race and proved too strong for Planet Vegas 2nd and the favourite local horse, Norm's Bridle 3rd.

Race 1 - Dave Whybrow Memorial over 1000m was won by Greedy Pete, trained by Myffy Rae of Queenbeyan and ridden by Ricky Blewitt.

Race 2 - Bundaberg Rum Transitional Handicap over 1100m was won by Merry Punter, trained by Jack Whybrow of Harden and ridden by Ben Duggan.

Race 3 - Wal Isaac Memorial Handicap over 1100m was won by Miss Kooyong, trained by Myffy Rae and ridden home by Ricky Blewitt.

Race 4 - Oxton Park Handicap over 1400m was won by Written Authority, trained by Ossie Cottam of Wagga and ridden by Stuart Brown.

Race 6 - Jim Brown Memorial Maiden Handicap over 1200m was won by Show Beau, trained by Peter Costigan from Albury and ridden by Robert Anderson.

Leading trainer of the day was Myffy Rae with two winners while Ricky Brewer was the leading jockey of the day riding two winners and several placings.

Julie McKay took the award for the best dressed lady back to Trangie while Trina Toohey of Cowra won the award for the best hat.

Ian Carroll of Ardlethan won the award for the best dressed male.

The award for the best dressed Miss Racegoer of the day was won by Emma Hardy of Young.

President of the Harden Picnic Race Club Pat Brown, made a presentation of a pewter cup after the running of the cup race to race caller Stuart Maxwell in recognition of Stuarts 100th race call.

At the end of the days racing, many racegoers partied on into the early hours of Sunday morning to Rusty's Rock and Rage Disco.