MID north coast jockey Luke Rolls made the trip inland well and truly worth it on Tuesday, with a winning double at Moree Race Club’s big seven-race TAB meeting.
Rolls partnered impressive three-year-old gelding Devilish Sun to a soft win in the 1200m Big Sky Country Maiden Handicap and 40 minutes later booted home four-year-old mare Dubalene in the 1200m Agriware BM-58 Handicap.
Devilish Sun ($3.10), trained at Muswellbrook by Tim McIntosh, parked second-last for most of the journey before charging home in the straight to win by half-a-length from well-tried $1.80 favourite Haras.
Colt Prosser’s Rips Law ($14) was a long-neck away third.
“They went along at a good clip and I was never really on the bridle – just off the bridle poking along behind them,” Rolls said.
“Coming to the corner, he grabbed the bit and towed me up. Halfway down the straight I thought we would win easily, but he still has that little bit of inexperience and didn’t quite know how to put them away.
“He’s still learning his craft and he’ll benefit from that. It was definitely a nice win,” Rolls said.
Prosser’s Dubalene, a drifter from $6.50 out to $8, settled worse than midfield for Rolls before flashing home out wide to score by more than a length from Alyssa and Troy Sweeney’s Zavega ($5).
Gold Smiles ($16), trained by Sally Torrens, worked home from well back in the field to finish third, one-and-a-half lengths away.
Rolls said Dubalene won nicely.
“She’s been racing on heavy tracks and appreciated being back on a lot better track today – she showed a nice turn of foot,” he said.
“I was a little worse than midfield, but she was always travelling nicely. She has had a tendency to over-race, but she had the crossover nose-bank back on today, and relaxed nicely for me.”
Earlier in the day, Wayne Oakenfull’s run of winners continued when impressive gelding Boomtime Now, backed from around $7 prior to scratchings to start $2.90 favourite, raced clear to win by four-and-a-half lengths from Eezitosort ($3.80) and Parissident ($41).
Winning rider Kody Nestor said Boomtime Now, owned by Oakenfull in partnership with former top jockey Troy Brandenburg, was perfectly placed in the 950m scamper.
“It was a good run the other day at Inverell in a race over 1200m that was probably unsuitable for him,” Nestor said.
“Dropping back to 950m was ideal. The horse has got plenty of pace and he’s a good type. Oakey does a great job, and the horse was well-placed in that race.
“He was either leading or running second – there all the way – and just kept building the further he went into the run.
“He’s won by a big margin and I think there’s another win or two in him,” he said.
Oakenfull, who earlier this month won with Afloat at Inverell and Connewarre at Moree picnics, heads to Mallawa on Saturday with three live chances.
The trainer starts Moree-owned Shut Eye in the 1400m Mallawa Cup, Moree Bracelet winner Connewarre in the 1000m Mallawa Bracelet and Pub Feed in the 1200m maiden plate.
On Monday, Mallawa Picnic Race Club received 51 nominations for round two of bush racing’s Golden Triangle, with acceptances and barriers finalised today.
The six-race meeting is again strongly supported, with major sponsors including RDO Equipment Australia, B&W Rural, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Moree Irritek, Aircair Aviation, Australian Food & Fibre, TitanAg, McGregor Gourlay and Boland Petroleum back for another year.
The track is expected to be presented in perfect order on Saturday after 35mm of rain fell on the course proper last week.
There will be a marquee luncheon as well as the famous Moree Lions Club barbecue and live music after the races are run and won.
Online tickets to the meeting are available HERE.
Buses to Mallawa will also operate to and from the Royal Hotel in Moree from around 11am.
Acceptances for the meeting will be declared at 9am, Thursday, June 4.
Talmoi Picnic Race Club rounds out the Golden Triangle with six races on Saturday, June 20.
Bush Racing’s Golden Triangle
Mallawa: Saturday, June 6. Updates at Mallawa Facebook Page
Online tickets for Mallawa: Mallawa Picnic Races TIX
Talmoi: Saturday, June 20. Updates at Talmoi Facebook Page
Online tickets for Talmoi: Talmoi Picnic Races TIX
