By COLIN HODGES

Jake Barrett was a proud apprentice jockey when he hoisted the impressive WesTrac Cobar Cup above his head after winning the feature race on Saturday aboard the Connie Greig, Dubbo trained Valadyium.

This was the first Cup won by Barrett who is on loan to Dubbo trainer Brett Robb from the Kim Waugh stable at Wyong.

Nicely positioned behind the leaders in the 1700 metres Cup, Valadyium ($3.80 equal favourite) wore down Knee Slapper (Elissa Meredith, $3.80 equal favourite) to win by a length with Saw That Coming (Chelsea Ings, $5) running on well for third.

The trip out west by Connie Greig and Jake Barrett was very worthwhile as they also won the Broughton Field Services Class 1 Handicap with Everyone.

Under a serious challenge in the straight, Everyone ($5) kicked away to beat the $2.50 favourite Drunkasamonkey (Clayton Gallagher) by over two lengths with Gunnerside (Ashleigh Stanley, $6.50) a handy third.

Another apprentice riding well is Gilgandra based Zara Lewis who won the opening event on Koko Connection for Menindee trainer Wayne Marsden.

A former Victorian galloper, Koko Connection ($5) led most of the way to win the 1000 metres Nutrien Russell Maiden Plate in convincing fashion from Pippie Star (Chelsea Ings, $15) and Dare To Fight (Elissa Meredith, $3.80 fav.).

The rest of the meeting belonged to leading jockey Clayton Galloper who with powerful riding booted home a winning treble, starting with his easiest assignment, No Debt for Dubbo trainer Brett Robb in the 1000 metres DJW & Yanda Art Benchmark 58 Handicap.

From the outside barrier, No Debt ($2.20 fav.) raced wide to the home turn then accelerated to a four lengths win over Travstar (Elissa Meredith, $5) and Japingka (James Rogers, $9).

Carrying the 60kg top weight in the 1200 metres Sullivan’s Mining & Industrial Benchmark 50 Handicap, Sipharderson (Clayton Gallagher, $2.80 fav.) shared the lead then held off the challenge from Late Return (Zara Lewis, $9) to win by a long neck.

After taking on Sipharderson for the lead the Wayne Prisk, Cobar trained Jawsome (Angela Cooper, $10) battled on for a game third.

Bred and raced by Heather and David Ringland from Dubbo, Sipharderson completed a winning Cobar double for trainer Brett Robb.

Final race, the 1370 metres KML Industries Benchmark 45 Handicap, saw a thrilling race with the Bryan Dixon, Gilgandra trained Lenny’s Lad ($4.20) leading for home and under desperate riding from Clayton Gallagher prevailing in a three way photo finish from Hoffy’s Dream (Chelsea Ings, $8) and Fiery Belle (Jake Barrett, $4.40).

The big crowd appreciated the outstanding facilities and magnificent presentation of the racecourse by the Cobar Miners Race Club.