Around the traps with Gus Underwood

By Gus Underwood

May 29, 2024

Harley Reid is a good bet for punters at the moment. Photo: AAP/Matt Turner Photo by Matt Turner

Looking for an omen

Those people who bet on omens wouldn’t have been able to help themselves if they had glanced at the form guide at last week’s Swan Hill trots meeting.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The very first pacer in the very first race was named Harley Blue.

The name Harley is pretty topical at the moment given what the young Tongala footy freak Harley Reid has been doing in his first AFL season.

And the Blue bit was also appropriate because Harley’s home footy team is the Tongala Blues.

And leading up to the race Channel 7 was spruiking Harley Reid was to make his debut appearance in its Talking Football show later that evening.

But as omen punters will know, no matter how convincing they seem some omens don’t have a fairy tale finish.

Harley Blue the pacer ran a good race and finished fifth, but that doesn’t help if your have put you hard-earned on to win or to run a place.

Harley Reid the footballer may be a safer bet.

Dry time for region

It has been a dry argument weather wise since our last burst of decent rain.

Kyabram has not received a drop of rain since May 11 when 20mm was recorded after 9mm the previous two days.

The May average is 42mm.

But between 2mm and 15mm of rain is predicted for tomorrow, which will be well received by croppers who have planted most of their crops over the past couple weeks.

The wettest Kyabram May on record belongs to the 1974 when 127mm fell.

The only other years 100mm or more rain was recorded in May was 1889 with 123mm and 1956 with 113mm.

Only one year since Kyabram weather records were first kept in 1887 has no rain been recorded in May. That was in 1901.

Next driest May was 2005 with 2mm.

So far, this year Kyabram has received 212mm of rain, which is still more than the average of 173mm for the first five months of the year.

Land up for grabs

Murray River Council is selling more than 50 lots of land in its jurisdiction owned by property owners who have outstanding council rates of more than five years.

In total, the council is owned $583,740.53 in unpaid rates and the sale of these properties will cover debts and any extra they make from the sale will be returned to the property owner.

$11.3m windfall for Vic Park

Echucan’s top sporting oval Victoria Park is to receive a $11.3 million grant to develop the site as part of the Federal Government’s Growing Region program.

The project involves a new community, events and emergency relief centre and the development of a new 400 seat grandstand and change rooms.

Campaspe Shire Council has also committed $2 million for the project taking its final cost to $13.3 million.

Woman hurt

A freak accident in Shepparton on May 18 week caused lower body injuries to a Shepparton woman.

The woman in her 30s was walking along a track on Jordan Place off the boulevard at sunset and was struck by a branch which had fallen from a tree.

She was taken to Goulburn Valley Health in a serious but stable condition.

Supportive club

Got to like the name of that club in Tocumwal which does its bit charity.

Titled the Tocumwal Optimists Club, it recently made its third donation to the Cobram-based Moira FoodShare.

More than 200kg of food and hygiene products funded by the Optimists and IGA Tocumwal were delivered last week with almost 4000 residents from both the Moira and Berrigan shires accessing the facility during the month of April.