WITH fine, sunny weather forecast next week, Talmoi Picnic Race Club is preparing to host round three of bush racing’s Golden Triangle – the heart of bush racing in the heart of the country.
Early forecasts have the Moree district in for perfect racing weather, with a top of 21 degrees expected next Saturday on a cloudless, still day.
Club secretary Sophie O’Neill said the annual Talmoi races means a lot to the Garah and district communities.
“It is a great way to get people out to our wonderful part of the world and enjoy a spectacular day of country racing,” Sophie said.
“We hope they spend some time in the town and support local businesses and enjoy the Garah hospitality – some might even get a job locally and stay,” she smiled.
“Garah has so much to offer and we are so proud to showcase our fantastic town.”
The Talmoi races is a united community-held event, with staff and volunteers from the local pre-school and primary school manning the gate and selling drink tickets.
“The race club donates money back to the local community and we are very thankful to have the community help us on race day,” Sophie said.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without them, and we have a lot of support from the whole community, especially the schools.”
Saturday’s six-race card, with $45,000 prize money, features the 1400m Warren and Ruth Hunter Memorial Talmoi Cup and 1000m Helen Boland Memorial Talmoi Bracelet.
The cup is worth $10,000, with supporting races each worth $7000.
Last year, trainer Jane Clement and jockey Eliose Drews combined to win the cup-bracelet double with Hardyo and Sparks, and both gallopers are expected to be nominated to defend their crowns.
Hardyo was second-up and third in the Walgett Cup yesterday behind stablemate Awesome Tycoon, which was scratched at the barriers in last week’s Mallawa Cup after getting down in the stalls.
Awesome Tycoon also won the Boolooroo Cup at Moree picnics, and is likely to be nominated for Talmoi.
Speedy sprinter Sparks was fourth behind all-the-way winner Annual in the Mallawa Bracelet last weekend and will strive for back-to-back Talmoi Bracelets next Saturday.
Annual, trained at Gunnedah by Gavin Groth, is likely to be in the Talmoi Bracelet mix when nominations are announced Monday.
“The plan is to set her for the Picnic Championships Sprint Final,” Groth said.
Groth, who won with Powerstone at last year’s Talmoi meeting, is on fire at the moment.
He’s trained three doubles in as many weeks at Gunnedah, Tamworth and Mallawa.
The 1000m picnic sprint final, worth $50,000, complements the $50,000 1400m picnic championships final.
Picnic Racing Association secretary Deidre Adam said runners earn seasonal points at all picnic race meetings across New South Wales, with the highest point-scorers making up the finals.
“The support Racing NSW has shown picnic racing over the past few years has been amazing, and the industry has never been in a better position,” Mrs Adam said.
“With minimum prizemoney levels increased to $7000 per race, along with fantastic race fields, increase in approved rider numbers, and the introduction of the extra race for the picnic champion series, the future of picnic racing is looking bright.”
Nominations for Talmoi picnic races close at 11am tomorrow, June 16.
Platinum sponsors for round three of bush racing’s Golden Triangle include B&W Rural Moree, Kenway and Clark, Syngenta, Black Truck and Ag, Providore Global, RDO Equipment, TTS, BMC, Australian Food and Fibre and Orica.
Tickets are available online at Talmoi Picnic Races Tix June 21. Children under 16 are free.
Buses will leave Moree from the Royal Hotel at midday and return at 6pm and 9pm.
Talmoi Picnic Races
When: Saturday, June 21
Where: Talmoi racecourse, Garah
Time: from around midday
Tickets: Online at Talmoi Picnic Races Tix June 21.
