By Colin Hodges

Suited by the fast early pace, the Rod Northam, Scone trained Sharp Shock charged home to win the $75,000 Geronimo-New Holland Coonamble Gold Cup on Sunday.

From the outset, Vincenzo and Roma Avenue vied for the lead in the 1600 metres, Big Dance eligibility Cup, while Sharp Shock patiently ridden by leading apprentice Chelsea Hillier, settled towards the rear along with the Randwick trained favourite, Ravello.

In an exciting finish, Sharp Shock $9) swooped on the outside to win by a long head from Ravello (Ashley Morgan, $3.40 to $2.90 favourite) with Vincenzo (Ella Drew, $5.50) a brave third after hitting the front at the top of the straight.

The very big crowd was treated to a unique sight in the mounting yard prior to the running of the $50,000 Showcase Picnic Championship Final with 8 of the 12 riders wearing the purple and yellow striped colours of Dubbo trainer Connie Greig.

Rewarded for her successes at picnic meetings throughout the NSW picnic circuit, Greig had qualified the bulk of the field for the 1400 metres Final.

Connie Greig had won the 2022 Final with Hemsted (Leandro Ribeiro) and the 2023 Final with Inzaghi (Leandro Ribeiro) and she looked likely to have the first three placegetters in 2024 until the final strides of a dramatic finish.

The crowd watches as the jockeys fast approach the finish line. PHOTO: The Coonamble Times/ Lily Plass

Superbly ridden by Sebastian Galea, the Daniel Stanley, Wellington trained Bush Warrior ($14)coming from further back than midfield, gained a late split to win by a half length from Blackhill Kitty (Sally Faulks, $31) with a half neck to the third placed Have Mercy (Todd Bailey, $6.50) while a close fourth was Belle O’Ballee (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.20 favourite).

Daniel Stanley was thrilled to win the Final for Jan Grimshaw a long time client of his stable.

Following the race, Deidre Adam (Tottenham) and Craig Tyack (Tullibigeal), the long serving secretary and president, respectively, of the NSW Picnic Association were awarded Life Memberships.

Bred and raced by Harry Barclay from Warren and trained at Dubbo by Brett Robb, the 8 year old gelding Castlebar Road ($13) took the early lead and challenged all the way down the straight held on to win the 1200 metres Keady Family Crystal Sprint in a close finish from Jacenza (Chelsea Hillier, $4) and Life’s A Party (Ashley Morgan, $4.80).

The other feature race, the 1400 metres Futurity Pastoral-Baradine Cup, was won by the Sue Grills, Tamworth trained Night Fighter ridden by Jenny Duggan.

Finishing quickly down the outside, Night Fighter ($7) scored by over a length from Earl Of Bantry (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $3.10 to $2.70 favourite) and Shen Gui (Ashley Morgan, $15).

Responding to powerful riding by Clayton Gallagher, the Bjorn Baker, Warwick Farm trained Ahellbenda ($3.00) was a half length winner of the 1300 metres Swanny’s Foods & XXXXShowcase Maiden Handicap from the leader Truth I Fear (Luke Rolls, $10) and Rennata (Aaron Bullock, $2.35 fav.)

Second leg of a double for Clayton Gallagher was the Cody Morgan, Tamworth trained Smart Shot ($3.40) which swept past the leaders to win the 1600 metres Nalder Family Showcase Class 3 Handicap by more than three lengths from Wanda River, Ashley Morgan, $10) and Sonic Tycoon (Billy Cray, $8).

Tamworth trainer Mel O’Gorman produced a smart debut maker Almost Maybe for the 1100 metres Woodhams Petroleum and Paragon Pastoral 1100 metres Showcase Maiden Plate.

Clearing out in the straight, Almost Maybe (Siena Grima, $5.50) won by almost four lengths from Coella ($3.90 fav.) and Inquisitrix (Andrew Banks, $151).

Formerly from Coonamble, Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm was proud to win the 1100 metres QUBE Agri Class 2 Showcase Handicap for the owners of Plenitude.

The Keady and Lyons families were also loyal clients of Clint’s grandfather, the legendary Coonamble trainer John Lundholm.

Well ridden by north coast jockey Luke Rolls, Plenitude ($5) came from well back to win in a three way photo finish from Not Written Off (Ashley Morgan, $3.50) and Singing Star (Jenny Duggan, $14).