FOUR long-serving and hard working volunteers have been honoured with life membership of the Cooma Monaro Race Club.

In a special occasion on race day, Mick Schofield, Steve Johnson, Dave Kelley and Bill Hampson were unveiled as the club's latest life members. With more than 100 years of racing success and involvement between the four, their induction was met with much excitement from race goers.

The life member induction started a terrific Cooma Races with the club holding a seven race meet for the first time in its history.

On the track, local trainers and connections enjoyed one of their finest race meets.

trainers Dave Kelley, Antia 'Skeet' Walder and Georgie Boucher all produced winners.

The local success started in race 2 where the Kelley trained Mia's Dream finished first in a strong field. Ridden superbly by Ellen Hennessy, Mia's Dream finished three lengths ahead of the field.

In race six, a 1200 metre handicap, Bombala trainer Walder delivered another win with Big Steve. Damon Budler rode his second winner of the day when Big Steve won the 10-horse race.

The third local win came in seventh and final race of the meet. Georgie Boucher's Gwennybegg finished first in a well ridden race by jockey Sinead Pebbles. It was an emotional win for Boucher who trains near Jindabyne. Her stepfather 'Rusty', a part-owner recently passed away. Gwennybegg's win was a crowd favourite.

In the two feature races of the day, the Wangaratta trained Fox Appeal took out the Cooma Cup. Jockey Sarah McDonough praised trainer Craig Weeding for having Fox Appeal in top condition and thanked the Cooma Monaro Race Club for its efforts in staging the races.

McDonough, speaking at the Cooma Cup presentation (race three sponsored by Snowy Hydro), thanked race club president, Mick Schofield, for the committee's work in delivering a high-quality country meet.

The prestigious Sundowners Cup was on by Bounty By Knight, trained by Anthony Warren and ridden by Peebles.