By COLIN HODGES

A record breaking crowd at Bourke on Easter Sunday saw Knee Slapper in an exciting finish win the 1600 metres Splashe Cola - Harry Hart Memorial Picnic Cup for Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb.

Proving a bad result for bookmakers, the former South Australian galloper Knee Slapper was backed from $16 to $8 and took an estimated $35,000 from the betting ring.

Emily Waters from Tumbarumba won her first race three weeks ago at Tullibigeal Picnics and she rode Knee Slapper very well at Bourke.

Leading all the way, Knee Slapper held on to beat Allez Rev ( Ricky Blewitt,$8 ) by a head with the $1.90 favourite Gossip ( Leandro Ribeiro ) a length Away third.

Gossip had won the recent Picnic Cups at Ardlethan and Tomingley however Leandro Ribeiro probed for a run at the top of the straight which did not materialise.

A protest 3rd versus 1st was dismissed.

Brazilian born Leandro Ribeiro had earlier won the first three races including the 800 metres Bourke Bowling Club Open Handicap on the Connie Greig, Dubbo trained nine year old gelding Billy Bent Ear..

Making it 8 wins and.30 placings from 110 starts, Billy Bent Ear ($2.20 favourite) raced near the lead and won by over three lengths from Rebecca’s Quest (Ricky Blewitt, $2.50) and Three Rar (Dylan Stanley, $5).

First leg of the Leandro Ribeiro treble was the Brett Cavanough, Scone trained Jackal ($2.50) which led throughout for a convincing win over Rewardus (Breanna Bourke, $10) and Dare To Fight (Wayne Wheatley, $2.20 fav.) in the 800 metres Bourke Steel & Wire - Franks BP Service Station Maiden Plate.

Leandro Ribeiro then rode last start Hillston winner Orezira for Menindee trainer Wayne Marsden in the 1000 metres Outback Ice & Outback Refrigeration Class B Handicap.

The strongly supported Lenroy (Wayne Wheatley, $6.50 to $3.50) looked a big threat in the straight but was beaten threequarters of a length by Orezira ($2.40 fav.) with Keep No Secrets (Ricky Blewitt, $4.80) filling third place.

Bill Hayes from Eugowra who has made a return as a trainer after time off has won successive races at Grenfell and Bourke with Run Callan Run.

In the 1300 metres Nutrien Walsh Hughes-Dad N Dave Turf Class B Handicap at Bourke, Hoffy’s Dream (Emily Waters, $2.60) took the lead in the straight but was overhauled and beaten a half length by Run Callan Run (Dylan Stanley, $4.20).

Sun Master ($6) finished third however was unlucky as Breanna Bourke reported she was disadvantaged when the saddle shifted soon after the start.

Racing next at Nyngan on Anzac Day.