After the final race Seven Blinks was sold at auction.

The power of Clint Lundholm was again evident when he lifted the Darryl Rolfe, Canberra trained Unfreeze (5.00, 4.20) to a half

length win over Hard Luck (John Mills, 10.00) in the Miller’s Metals Class A Handicap (1100 metres).

Finishing third was Hinton (Jenny Lindgren, 9.00).

Three special awards were made the races with Nampara Bullet judged the `best presented horse’ at the meeting with the strapper receiving the prizes.

The Jack Hodges – Slip Top Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding ride judged by the stipendiary stewards panel went to Clint Lundholm for his exhibition on Cup winner Nampara Bullet.

Most successful trainer’s trainer was won by George Wright from Parkes with Clint Lundholm the most successful jockey.

* * * * *

Parkes trainer George Wright has his team firing on all cylinders and he notched a winning double at Bedgerebong with Darcy Legend and Grand Expectations.

Part-owned by the trainer’s wife Leanne, Darcy Legend (Ben Duggan, 4.60, 4.20 fav) came with a sustained run from well back to account for East Boundandown (Isabelle Chandler, 15.00) and Regal Barista (Samantha Weir, 7.00) in the McDonald’s Restaurant Class B Handicap (1400 metres). Ben Duggan was again the rider when Grand Expectations (3.60, 2.60 fav) came from midfield early and finished best to win the Ella Hodges Memorial Clearview Bracelet (800 metres) from Lester Cove (Nyssa Burrells, 7.00) was second and the 12-year-old veteran Vakris (Isabelle Layt, 13.00).

The well fancied Dyrsabone tried to buckjump and was retired from the race at the 400 metres.

Grand Expectations was the final nail in the coffin for bookmakers who had a shocking losing day.

Their only glimmer of hope was when the Paul Mitchell, Trangie trained Usher In (John Mills, 8.00, 12.00) beat Yamaman (William Garland, 26.00) and Petalulu (Ben Thompson, 2.00, 1.90 fav) in the opening race, the 800m Class A Handicap.

From there on it was all down hill for the gentlemen swinging in the bags.

* * * * *

Heavy Rain throughout the Central West discouraged a lot of intending racegoers from making the trip to Bedgerebong on Saturday and the crowd was cut but not as many as people have thought.

Never the less there was still a very good attendance and despite some light showers conditions were pleasant on the day.

A renowned wet weather track, Bedgerebong received 10mm on race eve and then further showers on race day, however the track remained very safe for racing.

Officials were confident that the track could have soaked up another 25mm (one inch) and still remain safe.

The committee as usual spent several months preparing for the meeting and Bedgerebong must surely rate as one of the prettiest and best presented racecourses in NSW.

* * * * *

This week in racing we have Bathurst TAB on Friday;

Condobolin Picnics and Coonabarabran on Saturday; and Narromine TAB on Monday.

COMMITTEE HAIL

MEETING AS A SUCCESS

Treasurer of the Bedgerebong Picnic Race Club, Peta Constable, said that she and her committee were more then happy with the success of Saturday’s meeting.

“It was a great day’s racing,” she said.

“The weather was against us a bit but really we weren’t much down (gate takings) on last year.”

Peta added that overnight on Friday Bedgerebong only recorded 20mls while town such as Parkes were reported to have had 80mls.

“Many have felt it was like that all over, I feel that had a big impact on why some never come.

“With the weather and all, I feel what we had this year was better than last year.

“We had a bit of drizzle but really not that bad.

“Everyone here is happy. We had no trouble, the crowd was well behaved, the band was good and many stayed until the finish at 11am while many started to leave around nine.

“What was really good, was the buses (to and from Forbes) were well supported,” Peta added.

Echoes of satisfaction were relayed by Secretary Wendy Sharkey.

“I feel the meeting was very successful, we had a lot of positive results which is a very good indication,” she said adding that the ladies marquee was an outstanding success.

“Tickets to the marquee sold out two weeks before the races and we ended up with 115 tickets sold. If we had them, I feel we could have sold another 40.