Despite the races getting off to a rusty start with a few early crashes putting the spectators on their back foot, this did serve to separate the billies from the kids in preparation for the showdown at the finals.

Three goats in particular made their mark at this year’s race.

‘Go you good thing’, owned and run by the father and son duo from Warren, Sean and Sloane Poole may have had a hesitant start, but in the end he dug in his hooves and managed to edge out many of his brothers to come in third.

The Luke Owen Edmunds’ gamble on the fiery ‘Lightning’, who charged fast but had a tendency to zig-zag across the course, proved to be a wise move by the investor when the goat managed to maintain his composure and be named runner-up.

However, the most spectacular of the goats was the energetic billy Hyperkid.

Hyperkid, owned and ridden by Archie Judd charged down the street at a record-setting trot to cross the line first and take the title of 2009 Goat Race Champion.

The wheelie bin races, held between the goat races also proved to be popular.

Three events were held to find the top competitors from each age group.

In the under 12s Ryan Woolley edged out his competitors to place first. Jaclyn Favaloro was runner-up and Micah Gibson came in third.

In the 12 to 16 years division Jonathan Donaghy took first place beating Lachlan Scott in second and Ben Batten in third.

The last group saw the big boys come out to play in the 17 years and open category.

The Community Church reverend went in as the underdog but, to everyone’s surprise, took third place.

He was edged out only by the fit Peter Lark who was runner-up and Nick Lohse who has won the same competition for three years in a row.