Tycoon Felix ridden by Caitlin King won the 1700-metre Buchan Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd on Saturday.

The winner held third place for majority of the race before making its move on the final straight, sprinting down the outside line to finish 1.75 lengths in front of Maxwell Keenan on Blunderbuss and three lengths ahead of Grant Seccombe on Johnny Romance.

The Canni Creek races were a resounding success after the recent bushfires ripped through parts of the Canni Creek track according to Buchan and Gelantipy Racing Club president, Peter Sandy.

“There were about 2600 attending this year’s picnic race meeting at Canni Creek, double what I saw last year,” he said.

“The crowd was good and the weather held up except for a couple of showers.

“The support from the media and Racing Victoria just demonstrates what a great place Australia is, all looking after each other.”

Racegoers from Melbourne said Metro TV, press and radio had really promoted the plight of the Canni Race Track in its quest to bring it back to life after it being hit by the recent bushfires.

The burnt winning post is now well-known around Australia thanks to the national media.

This year, there were more than 100 nominations for the race day, 47 entries were accepted with three scratchings for the day over six races.

Winner of the leading jockey for the day was Grant Seccombe who said the track held up well for the meeting given the recent work that had to be done to enable the meeting to happen.

Lady of the Day was won by Liezel Enever, of Bairnsdale, Miss Race Girl was won by Pheobie Gregory and her sister, Felicity, won Miss Tiny Tot.

Both young ladies travelled from Melbourne for the weekend with their parents.

Colourful character of the east, Nobby McMahon, entertained the crowd with his word wizardry as MC for the fashions on the field.

He had the watching crowd laughing at his constant comical commentary and his infectious enthusiasm for the success of the day.

The biggest crowd ever at Canni Creek saw novelty events and children’s running races.

The boys and girls races, a good 100-metre dash, were won by 12-year-old Mathew Repic, of Kilmore, and 12-year-old Bella

Costa, of Melbourne. The footballer’s memorial gift was won by Cody Nixon, of Buchan, with the race struck in respect for Hugh Adams.

Helen Nixon, of Orbost, sister to Hugh Adams said in her presentation speech to Cody that her family had been humbled by the respect and affection the local community had shown to Hugh over the years.

“The runners in the race were probably not born at the time of Hugh’s death, but the community still remembers Hugh,” Helen said.

“In return I would like to say thank you, on behalf of my family to this community, for supporting us back then and today.

“More importantly, congratulations to everyone here supporting each other now.

“Individually you all have suffered, it is a tribute to you all that you are here, you are amazing, and to Peter, Robyn and the committee, well done for getting this race meeting up and going despite the fires and the damage to the track, your strength and resilience is inspiring.”

IMAGE: Tycoon Felix ridden by Caitlin King (left) celebrates after winning the Buchan Cup on Saturday at the annual Canni Creek Races. More than 2000 people attended the races, many coming from far and wide to support the community after it was ravaged by bushfires. K137-4449