Cootamundra Local Area Command Superintendent Frank Goodyer said the picnic races had run smoothly but that several scuffles had broken out during the disco, which related to patrons' consumption of alcohol on the day.

"Several scuffles broke out, but police were quickly on the scene and removed those responsible."

Mr Goodyer said the town of Harden itself had been fairly quiet after the picnic races, with people who were visiting licensed premises quickly dispersing as those premises closed for the night.

He also said that a number of issues would be raised by police, at a post-event meeting with the Harden Picnic Races Committee, in relation to the service of alcohol at the event.

Harden Picnic Races Secretary Peter Campbell said it was disappointing that such a small number of people had ruined the night for everyone else.

Mr Campbell said the incident, which began at about 8.30pm, and lead to the disco being closed at 8.45pm, had been started when a man was ejected from the disco by a security guard and his group of friends tried to stop the security guard.

"There weren't a lot of people in it, most people were caught inside the disco and were trying to get out of the way," Mr Campbell said.

He said apart from that incident, the picnic races had been a really great day.

"We want to keep this event functioning properly. We don't want it to be ruined for everyone by a small number of stupid clowns."