Less than a length separated the first five place getters on Saturday, February 10 in a thrilling finish to the 1400 metres Total Wear Solutions Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup. A crowd of over 2000 watched Mystic Flame setting the early pace with the eventual winner Tupou taking the lead when heads turned for home.
From the Dubbo stables of leading trainer Clint Lundholm, Tupou ($7), ridden a great race by Narromine based Ricky Blewitt, held on to win in a photo finish from Linden Tree (Leandro Ribeiro, $5.50) which finished strongly on the outside with Red Impulse (Maddison Wright, $3.20) a close third. Ricky Blewitt had earlier won the 800 metres Terry Bros Carpet Court Forbes Class B Handicap on Warrior’s Spirit trained at Narromine by his partner Kylie Kennedy. Leading throughout, Warrior’s Spirit ($3) won by almost two lengths from Hammoon Sunshine (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.20 favourite) and A Tender Lady (Dylan Parrott, $3). Riding at her first meeting, Eloise Drews was very excited to win the feature sprint, the 800 metres Daniel Ball Transport Clearview Bracelet on outsider Japingka, trained at Dubbo by Janelle Galea. A clear last early, Japingka ($9) burst through gaps and arrived in the last stride to beat the gallant veteran Billy Bent Ear (Leandro Ribeiro, $4.60) and So Extra (Ricky Blewitt, $2.60 favourite). Eloise Drews works for prominent Scone-trainer Luke Pepper who as a jockey won the 2003 Bedgerabong Picnic Cup on Red And Black trained by JohnnyJohnson for the late Norman Redfern.
Opening event, the 1100 metres Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon and Co Class Three Trophy Handicap saw an all the way win by the Sharon Jeffries, Parkes trained Sauce Dragon (Sebastian Galea, $2 fav.) over Blackhill Kitty (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.80) and Better Judgement (Grady Spokes, $4.40). Back riding again following maternity leave, former premiership winner Maddison Wright won the 1100 metres Local Business Houses Maiden Plate on the Rodney Robb, Nyngan-trained Chart Topper. Last in the early stages, Chart Topper ($6.50) finished best to beat the leaders Whirled War (Leandro Ribeiro, $4.60) and Oh No Devon (Michael Gray, $10).
On a day which favoured the bookmakers, outsider Moneymademefamous won the final race, the 1400 metres Hutcheon and Pearce Class One Trophy Handicap. Trained at Tumbarumba by Mount Waters and ridden by Breanna Bourke, Moneymademefamous ($6) wore down Pahang (Leandro Ribeiro, $1.80 fav.) and early leader Are You Certain (Ricky Blewitt, $2.40). The magnificent presentation of the track and beautiful surrounds attracted huge praise with many rating Bedgerabong as TAB track standard.
