Racing

The countdown to the historic 140th anniversary edition of the Birdsville Races is on, with just over five weeks until the ‘Melbourne Cup of the outback’ reignites the tiny desert town on the edge of the Simpson Desert with thousands of revellers for an outback party and race carnival like no other ... From the Birdsville Cup’s’ first ever female winners and ambassadors to race-stopping outback deluges, horse flus, Prime Minister visits and a global pandemic – here are some memorable moments from 140 years of the Birdsville Races.

A bold move by jockey Quayde Krogh paid dividends when Kiptanui stunned favourite Ready To Humble in Sunday’s $40,000 Narrandera Cup over a mile. Trained by Mathew Dale, Kiptanui ($12) started from barrier 10 and was forced to sweep around the field early to take up the running, after Nick Olive’s Ready to Humble ($1.75) had bounded out of the gates and struck the early lead.

Emma Pritchard. Rachel King wrote her name in the record books at the Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) on July 14 when she became the first female jockey to win the premier staying event of the year, the 2022 Southside Pharmacy Grafton Cup over 2350m onboard the Bjorn Baker trained former French galloper Arapaho (FR). After beginning her riding career in Great Britain, King travelled to Australia and completed her apprenticeship with leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse while on her way to becoming one of the country’s premier hoops.

The Tennant Turf Club will receive $1 million over the next 10 years as part of the NT Government’s new funding agreement with Thoroughbred Racing NT (TRNT) ... Tennant Turf Club President Mike Nash welcomed the announcement with open arms.

Jeff Hanson. Narrandera Race Club is gearing up for one of their biggest ever meetings. Racing on Sunday July 17, Narrandera will host their first Showcase race day, with each of their eight races carrying a minimum $30,000 in prize money.

Emma Pritchard. The Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) postponed Races 4-9 on the opening day of the 2022 XXXX July Winter Racing Carnival, the Westlawn Finance Prelude Day on July 3, following a shocking incident in the concluding stages of Race 3, the Westlawn Business Loans 2YO Maiden Plate over 1015m. Apprentice jockey Leah Kilner, 24, was dislodged from her mount, the Owen Glue trained Stella’s Turn inside the final 100m when the filly tragically went amiss and crashed to the turf.

Narrandera Race Club Sunday 17 July Sky 1 Showcase TAB$250, 000 Prize MoneyQPL Fashions on the Field8 races Gates open at 11 amFull catering and bar...

There will be great interest surrounding the chances of Sassy Choice when the former Victorian takes her place in the Dux Hot Water Handicap on Fisher Plumbing Raceday at Port Macquarie on Saturday 2 July ... Ben Looker made the trip to Newcastle to pilot the filly in the trial and has retained the mount on Saturday and this could provide the added confidence for victory with Miss Marcie providing the strongest competition following a decisive recent win at Grafton.

Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club Inc., Media Release, 27 June 2022

Cape York Peninsula’s biggest annual event, the Laura rodeo and races, roared back to life over the weekend. The tiny town of Laura, with a normal population of 200, swelled to around 3000 as thousands came from far and wide to be a part of what was once an annual event.

Baringhup’s McKnight Racing had an amazing day at Donald Racing Club last week. They had their first-ever ‘Winning Treble’. This is quite a feat for a stable that has only around 12 to 15 horses in work at a time!

Prominent Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham is unlikely to be recognised by regular bush punters at Laura this weekend, but it's not because he's rarely sighted at the non TABs. "I've lost 45kg," ... The rapid weight loss hasn't led to a loss in ability, with the Far North's top trainer still knocking up winners across the region.

Talmoi Amateur Picnic Races

A great day was had by all at Swifts Creek, Tambo Valley, Victoria on Sunday 17 April to watch the running of a full card of races, including, for horses, the Tambo Valley Cup, won by 'Flying Basil' and, for humans of all ages, foot races.

Monday's postponed Port Macquarie race meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday (2nd June). Fields remain unchanged with scratchings reinstated ... With two recent victories on the north coast under his belt, Yorikiri is poised to continue his great run of success in the GemLife Rainbow Beach Benchmark 58 Handicap at Port Macquarie.

Gingin trainer Cliff Green has Atlantis Beach on a seven-day back up after his win in the Crown Perth Handicap (1600m) on Roma Cup day ... while carrying 58kg, 18hh Atlantis Beach finished one and three-quarter lengths clear of his closest opposition to nail the second win of his career.

“We’re off to the Landor Races” ... “Where is Landor?” ... “About a 12-hour drive away. The nearest town is Meekatharra, some 270 kilometres away from Landor” ... “So what’s at Landor?” ... “Nothing, just the racetrack.”

A riding treble by Ash Morgan propelled the popular jockey towards a season milestone of one hundred victories and highlighted racing action at the Port Macquarie meeting on Sunday.

Kendall Jennings. The annual Kerang Turf Club Easter Races was once again a drawcard for Kerang with its seven-race afternoon on Saturday, April 16. In superb weather, punters were treated to fashions on the field, Easter Bunny and spectacular racing on the iconic flood irrigated circuit.

With two recent victories and a narrow Scone placing under her belt, Robarge indicates the rise in class will not be a concern in the Coastal Fire Protection Handicap on Flood Appeal Race Day at Port Macquarie on Sunday.

Equimillion will showcase the versatility and suitability of Thoroughbreds for careers outside of racing, with the inaugural event to be held on the October long weekend in 2023. The $1 million plus in prizemoney on offer at Equimillion will be distributed across a range of disciplines and classes in the biggest two-day equestrian event ever to be held in NSW.

Racegoers were treated to a wonderful day of perfect weather and family fun. We had Country Racing Icon, Col Hodges calling the race, our grounds were beautiful and green, the race track carefully maintained and our new under cover betting area further improved our annual Tulli Race Meet.