By Colin Hodges.

For one the story finished and for another it was the first page when Caszar ridden by Emily Waters won the Cup on Saturday 26 March at the Tullibigeal Picnic Races.

Prior to the meeting it was announced Caszar would be retired after the Cup, the nine year old gelding having raced with success, mainly in strong TAB company, for the proud owners Bernie Kearins, Diane Kearins and Suzanne Shearer from West Wyalong and long time Forbes trainer Barry Molloy.

A big day out in Tullibigeal for the picnic races. IMAGE: Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club.

Tullibigeal was chosen for the final race being the home town of John Glasgow who had been a part owner of Caszar before his death from cancer.

John Glasgow had been a tireless worker in getting the track and facilities up to standard for Tullibigeal to be granted permission to commence holding race meetings in 2011.

Emily Waters who was booked to ride Caszar in the Cup had in the opening race ridden the first winner of her career, Miracle Knight trained by her father Mont Waters at Tumbarumba.

Holding the inside rail position in a line of three, Miracle Knight ( $3.50 ) broke clear to win the 975 metres Class B Handicap by over a length from Leviticon (Ricky Blewitt, $2.50) Orezira (Breanna Bourke, $3.50).

Describing her first win as “ a dream come true“, Emily Waters then produced a great ride on Caszar in the $9,000 Dunk Insurance-Frampton Flat Feedlot & O’Connors Tullibigeal Picnic Cup over 1600 metres.

Running fourth entering the back straight, Caszar began to pull hard and Waters wisely allowed her mount to stride to the front.

Under siege turning for home, Caszar ( $3.20 ) held on grimly to win by a neck from Valadyium ( Leandro Ribeiro,$2 favourite ) with Equilibrium ( Dylan Stanley,$5.50 ) a half length away third.

There was a big crowd at the meeting and Caszar, the winner of 5 races and placed 15 times with prizemoney earnings of over $120,000, returned to an emotional reception with numerous family members and friends of the late John Glasgow among the crowd.

Bernie Kearins who has close ties with Tullibigeal, in a touching acceptance speech acknowledged the skill and dedication of trainer Barry Molloy and track work rider, former jockey Catherine Newcombe.

Emily Waters had a great day at the Tulli Picnics on Saturday, riding two winners. IMAGE: Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club facebook.

Tullibigeal as usual attracted many keen punters and the betting turnover was outstanding with the 5 bookmakers working on the local races, between them, holding in excess of $70,000.

In the 1200 metres Maiden Plate, the winner Watermelon Wine was backed from $5 to $3, however Canberra visitor Sublime ($1.60) which carried a bet of $1,000 finished unplaced.

Trained at Cootamundra by Debbie Prest, Watermelon Wine (Leandro Ribeiro) led throughout when a winner by almost two lengths from Keep No Secrets (Ricky Blewitt, $3.20) and Cubana (Dylan Stanley, $11).

Leandro Ribeiro also rode the Connie Greig, Dubbo trained Linden Tree which scored a hard fought win as the $1.35 favourite in the 1200 metres Class Two Trophy Handicap.

Humping 74kg and conceding 12kg to the rivals, Linden Tree was under serious threat in the straight but was a brave winner by a neck from Late Return (Ricky Blewitt, $3.40) and Germaine (John Wilson, $3.60).

Dylan Stanley who rode winners in NSW and the Northern Territory during a brief stint as an apprentice, is now riding at the Picnics and it was a good display on the Rodney Robb, Nyngan trained Rogue Runner in the 975 metres Open Bracelet Sprint

Perched behind the leaders, Rogue Runner ($2.60) with a rails run finished best to score by two lengths from Call Me Trinity (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.70 fav.) and Rebecca’s Quest (Ricky Blewitt, $2.80).

Patiently ridden by Anaelle Gangotena, the Gino D’Altorio, Griffith trained Roman Nero ($2.50 equal fav.) came from a long last to win the 1600 metres Ron Tyack Memorial Class 1 Trophy Handicap from Benoni (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.50 equal fav.) and Mr Menzies ($9).

Next Saturday racing is at Tomingley Picnics.