Lunn takes the trophy home after twelve years

Twelve years after taking home the trophy, Dubbo trainer Garry Lunn was back again on Saturday to win the $11,000 Total Wear Solutions Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup with Honeywine.

His 2011 winner, Carry The Dance, was ridden by Isabelle Chandler while Honeywine had Narromine- based Ricky Blewitt in the saddle. In front of a crowd of nearly 2000 at the beautiful Bedgerabong racecourse, Namarari and Queensland visitor, Hard Currency were among the early leaders in the 1400-metres Cup with Sons Of Bourke dashing to the front approaching the home turn.

Given a nice run behind the leaders by Blewitt, Honeywine (at $7) in a thrilling finish, won by a half-head from Sons Of Bourke (Michael Gray at $2.70) with the $2.60 favourite Cheeky Nugget (Leandro Ribeiro) a length and threequarters away in third place. Blewitt then kept a cool head in the following race when the Michael Mulholland, Dubbo-trained Bon Vavont was very slowly away in the 1400- metres Lachlan Quarry Sands Class B Handicap.

Coming from a long last, Bon Vavont (the $1.90 favourite) arrived in time to defeat Here Comes Chum (Emily Waters at $6) and the Queenslandtrained Dutton Ranch, (Todd Bailey at 3.80). Recent good performances at Royal Randwick and Moonee Valley, were pointers to success for Bold Offa in the 800-metres Daniel Ball Transport Clearview Bracelet Handicap. Burdened with the 72kg top weight, the lightly-raced four-year-old stallion was ridden by Rebecca McCrae for her husband, Yass trainer Allan McRae.

Leading from the outset, Bold Offa (the $2.20 favourite) held on under the big weight to win by a half-neck from Yorker (Leandro Ribeiro at $2.80) and Everyone (Emily Waters at $8). Champion picnic jockey, Leandro Ribeiro also had his supporters feeling happy when he rode the opening three winners, Get Up Alby, Iciafox, and Benyatta.

Finishing strongly, the Connie Greig, Dubbotrained Get Up Alby (at $3.50) reeled in the leaders to win the 1100-metres Dunk Insurance Class Three Trophy Handicap from Hammoon Sweetheart (Michael Gray at $10) and Angie Emm (Ricky Blewitt the $2.30 favourite). Connie Greig, the picnic trainers Premiership winner last season, completed a double when Benyatta (the $2.80 favourite) raced outside the leader and, close to home, wore down Hireach (Emily Waters at $4.20) with Jesta Diva (Ricky Blewitt at $4) third in the 800-metres Roylance Tractor Replacements Class B Handicap.

Third leg of the Leandro Ribeiro treble, was aboard the Rodney Robb, Nyngan-trained Iciafox in the 1100-metres Hutcheon and Pearce Maiden Plate. Taking the lead in the early stages, Iciafox (at $2.80) won by over six lengths from Supreme Reality (Michael Gray at $3) and Cinders (Kate Petersen at $6). Condobolin Picnics and Coonabarabran, are scheduled for this Saturday with Mudgee on Sunday, featuring the $150,000 Central Districts Qualifier for the Newhaven Park Country Championship Final at Royal Randwick.