By Colin HodgesDubbo trainer Connie Greig and Sydney based jockey Leandro Ribeiro have now won 8 of the last 12 races held at Condobolin following a treble on Saturday which included wins in the feature events by Linden Tree and Billy Bent Ear.Both those gallopers were beaten a nose at Bedgerabong the previous week in the Cup and Bracelet, respectively.Blinking Nomore and Sin City Belle set the pace in the 1400 metres Inland Petroleum Condobolin Picnic Cup with Red Impulse and Lnden Tree in handy spots.Sent to the lead at the top of the straight by Leandro Ribeiro, Linden Tree ($3 favourite) raced to a one and a half lengths win over stablemate and 2022 Cup winner Valadyium (John Wilson, $6.50) and Red Impulse (Tony Williams, $3.60).Billy Bent Ear, the grand warrior of central west racing, continues to amaze and the 11 year old gelding took the record to 17 wins and 40 placings and over $260,000 prize money from 144 starts when a brave winner of the 1000 metres KMWL & Co. & Ross Berry & Rob Staniforth Memorial Trophy Handicap.Leading from the outset, Billy Bent Ear (Leandro Ribeiro, $2 favourite) humping 71.5kg, fought off every challenge in the straight to defeat Outback Cod (Zara Lewis, $4.20) and Equilibrium (Emily Harrison, $21).The other winner for Connie Greig and Leandro Ribeiro was Kalpana ($4) which took the lead from Richter and Costas well before the home turn and won by 4 lengths from the heavily supported Irene Of Athens (Ricky Blewitt, $1.80 to $1.60 fav.) and Costas (Zara Lewis, $6.50) in the 1700 metres Condobolin Milling Class 3 Trophy Handicap..Wellington trainer Daniel Stanley provided the opportunity for a grateful Izzy Neale who travelled from Sydney to make her race riding debut on Scruff’s Magic in the 1100 metres Forbes Livestock Class 1 Trophy Handicap.Excelling at her only ride at the meeting, Izzy Neale gave the rank outsider Scruff’s Magic a nice run midfield before easing to the outside in the straight.Owned by a group of friends from Tullibigeal, Scruff’s Magic ($21) won by over a length from Better Judgement (Grady Spokes, $4.20) and Camp Cove (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.20 fav.).Emerging as a possible runner in the $50,000 Picnic Championship later this year at Coonamble, the Ashley Gibson, Gilgandra trained Foxstorm was a runaway winner of the 1400 metres Chamens Super IGA Class 2 Trophy Handicap.Ridden by Gilgandra based Zara Lewis, Foxstorm ($9) from fifth position dashed to the front in the straight and won by over four lengths from the leader Sindagar (Breanna Bourke, $3.60) and Cheeky Nugget (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.40 fav.).Condobolin attracted a big crowd however not many backed the opening winner, the outsider Northern Excel in the 1000 metres Vella Stockfeeds Maiden Plate.Trained at Narromine by Michael Plummer, Northern Excel (Emily Harrison, $10) led throughout to win by a neck from Party Stop (Tony Williams, $2.50) with Great Flame (Zara Lewis, $6) six lengths away in third place.

By COLIN HODGESHardworking local jockey James Rogers had a deserved and popular win aboard Dao Sun on Saturday 10 February at Gilgandra.Rogers handles the majority of horses in trackwork at Gilgandra including a sizeable team for trainer Kieren Hazelton.The lightly raced Dao Sun ($4.20 to $3.20) held a slender lead at the top of the straight then broke clear to win the 1280 metres Western Farm Machinery Maiden Plate by almost three lengths from Underverse (Chelsea Ings, $51) and The Git Up (Ronald Simpson, $2.25 favourite).Making it a good day for the locals the Leo Harland trained The Hulkbuster won the final event, the 1280 metres Tooraweenah Prime Lamb Co-Operative Benchmark 50 Handicap.The Hulkbuster ($5.50) under jockey Wendy Peel went straight to the front and held on to win by a long neck from Keys To Love (Will Stanley, $11) and Mean Girls (James Rogers, $3.10 to $2.60 fav.).First leg of a double for Dubbo jockey Wendy Peel was the Cec Hodgson, Coonamble trained Twyborn Affair in the 1000 metres Freck’s Electrical & Solar Benchmark 50 Handicap.Close to the front at the 400 metres, Twyborn Affair ($5.50) led for home and ridden out strongly by Wendy Peel won by nearly a length from the Wangaratta (VIC) trained Miss Brondolino (Sarah McDonough,$4.20 fav.) and Luckyimwithaimee (Will Stanley, $6).There were dramatic developments after the Mack Griffith, Mudgee trained Aussie Pharoah (Clayton Gallagher, $3.40 to $4.80) led throughout to win the 1550 metres Mountain View Hotel Benchmark 50 Handicap by over 4 lengths from Searchlight (Zoe Hunt, $13) and Edith’s Joy (Kath Bell-Pitomac, $11).Soon after the finish, Aussie Pharoah veered sharply to the left and crashed through the mounting yard fence. Aussie Pharoah escaped serious injury however leading jockey Clayton Gallagher suffered a suspected broken wrist.In the opening race, the 1000 metres Jarryd Eason & Grant Nell Maiden Handicap, named after the track curators who do a great job at Gilgandra, Miss Adamas (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $1.90 fav.) had a handy lead however was run down and beaten a head by the Stephen Jones, Scone trained Divine DI Dora (Will Stanley, $6) with Platinum Warrior (Clayton Gallagher, $3.40) in third place.Trained at Dubbo by Clint Lundholm and well ridden by his apprentice Ronald Simpson, Venatic($4.40) was second to the home turn before going on to win the 800 metres Tooraweenah Business Houses Class 1 Handicap by over a length from Have Mercy (Georgina McDonnell, $6.50) and the leader Juliette Street (Kath Bell-Pitomac, $31). Very good support by racegoers and sponsors from the village of Tooraweenah between Gilgandra and Coonabarabran helped make it a successful race meeting.Racing next at the Condobolin Picnics on Saturday 17 February.

BY SAM TURNBULLThe Castlereagh Women’s Rugby League club held their annual presentation awards day on Sunday 17th December. After a semi successful season, the club looking forward to building for a bigger 2024. This year only one team made the semifinals, the Under 14s, with the others narrowly missing out in their age divisions.In our Under 12s Coach Thelma Leonard thanked all her players and their families for the season. The team was unlucky to miss semi finals but played each week with determination and improved out of sight. The under 12 awards went to:Coaches Award – Tamika HurstMost Improved – Kalee HeenanBest Back – Jannali WalkerBest Forward – Siarne SmithBest and Fairest and Players Player – Rhylee JefferyCoach Thelma Leonard with her Under 12s team. IMAGE SUPPLIED.In the Under 14s Coach Brad Milsom, whose side was lucky enough to make the semi-finals and unfortunately were beat by the Vipers thanks his team and the girls. Coach Punchy had 26 girls in his team and found it hard to give awards.Coaches Award – Victoria Giovas and Taloulah MooreMost Improved – Keisha ThompsonBest Back – Molly BurgessBest Forward – Ava StantonBest and Fairest and Players Player – Mokoia BirtlesAdda Craig signs on for a tackle in 2023.Our Under 16s played their heart out all season and played some good footy week in and week out. The girls always turned up never gave up. Coach Josh thanks those under 14s who played up as without them they would have been short each week.This season’s awards went to:Coaches Award – Keisha RustenMost Improved – Destini BrightBest Back – Natalie GallenBest Forward – Adda CraigBest and Fairest and Players Player – Adda CraigThe under 18s who were coached by Steve Diggs were a team filled with determination and grit. Each week they turned up playing with they had and giving it their all. These showed how uc they love playing footy. Coach Steve thank each and everyone of them. PHOTO: Castlereagh Cougars facebookThis season’s awards went to:Coaches Award – Olivia MilsomMost Improved – India RosewarneBest Back – Sophie CLarkeBest Forward – Mackenzie Harvey Best and Fairest and Players Player – Rani DiggsThe Open team who were coached by Channy Burgess had a mixed season, they always turned up and loved to play hard footy, some travelling from far and wide. Coach Channy thanked them all for their commitment and hopes to be even better in 2024.Coaches Award – Abbey DewsonMost Improved – Maigan MeyersBest Back – Gemma MitchellBest Forward – Madi MasmanPlayers Player- Brianna SmithBest and Fairest and Players Player – Mikiala Cullen 

While footy season is still a few months away changes are afoot in the Western Plains, starting with a new format for the women's game.As part of the eventual transition to full contact rugby union, the format known as 'Tri-tag' will be introduced in 2024 as a way to build rugby skills such as lineouts, scrums, and rucks without the contact.Created as a middle-ground of sorts, 'Tri-tag' was invented by former professional rugby union player Mark Gasnier as a way to build rugby specific skills in a safer environment.Their website states that "we believe there needs to be a game that allows participants to choose when and if they play contact rugby, without missing out on the appropriate knowledge and skill development should they eventually do so."The Western Plains committee had identified tri-tag as a potential option at their 2 December meeting where it was voted on as the new game for 2024.In a competition where clubs generally only field one grade each week - exceptions last season being Coonamble and Walgett - the committee recognised that the jump to contact rugby could have had negative impacts on the clubs and the competition.Coonamble Rams coach Josh Wrench says that the clubs weren't in a position to convert the competition to tackle just yet."The competition will eventually be tackle, but the benefits that player participation has had for the clubs has been too good to jump to tackle straight away," said Mr Wrench."The majority of our players were supportive of the move to tri-tag."The game is expected to be played by ten players on each team and on a full field, with players wearing three oz tag style tags on their waist - hence the 'tri'.Two will be positioned on the sides of the player, and one on the back.An attacking player can only be stopped if a defender rips the side tags.When the player is stopped by a defender a teammate must 'clean out the ruck' by ripping the back tag off the player, only then can the game continue.The game features an unlimited substitution system, and players get seven 'phases' or tags before they have to hand the ball over.More details about team numbers and other rules are expected to come as we get closer to the 2024 season.

By Col Hodges Sidelined for almost 6 weeks following a painful injury, talented apprentice jockey Will Stanley is now back riding winners, starting with Obsessive Nature on Friday at Warren.Stanley suffered a broken nose in a mounting yard incident when struck in the face by the horse he was to ride in the race.In the 1000 metres Nutrien Ag Solutions Benchmark 50 Handicap at Warren, the 20 year old Stanley rode Obsessive Nature for Parkes trainer Sharon Jeffries.Nicely positioned behind the leader, Obsessive Nature ($6) overhauled the eventual third placegetter So Extra (Zoe Hunt, $7.50) and then held off Nannu (Shayleigh Ingelse, $3.60) for a two lengths win.(Will Stanley has since won on South Bullaway at Coonamble and Champions League at Bathurst).Another jockey returning from injury is Daniel Northey who had 14 months off after a hip replacement.Photo: Warren Jockey Club FacebookNorthey produced very good rides on the outsiders Charge Extra and La Mia Via to land a winning double for Gunnedah trainer Gavin Groth.Charge Extra ($16) tracked the leaders and won the 1200 metres Collie Hotel Maiden Plate by over two lengths while La Via Mia ($21) gained a good position from an outside barrier and finished best in the 1200 metres Business DNA Class 1 Handicap.Trained at Dubbo by Clint Lundholm and ridden by Michael Heagney, Stockholm ($6) led all the way to win the 1600 metres AFF Class 1 & Maiden Plate from stablemate Karaoke King (Ronald Simpson, $4.60) and World Atlas (Shayleigh Ingelse, $3.10 to $2.30 favourite).Photo: Warren Jockey Club FacebookPunters who supported the short price favourite He’s All Style (Clayton Gallagher, $1.50 favourite) were left to tear up their tickets when Ready For Lift Off (Ken Dunbar,$21) sprinted along the inside rail to win by almost three lengths from the favourite with Meet In Brazil ( James Rogers, $4.80) finishing third in the 1000 metres Western Farm Machinery Maiden Handicap.Ready For Lift Off (by Odyssey Moon) is trained at Narromine by Kylie Kennedy for Robert Gainsford.Better known as a galloper suited over longer trips, the Garry Lunn, Dubbo trained Weave That Web (Ronald Simpson, $20) at the first run back from a spell, surprised when rushing home from well back to win the 1400 metres Macquarie Toyota Benchmark 50 Handicap from Island Rock (Kath Bell-Pitomac, $11) and Distinctive Glory (Jayden Barrie, $13).

By Col Hodges Punters were treated to early Christmas presents when favourites won the first 6 races on Sunday at Coonamble.The only favourite to miss out was Overextend (2.50) in the final event however there were admirers for the winner Driving Force ($10) in the 1200 metres Geronimo Farm Equipment-New Holland Benchmark 66 Handicap.A last start winner at Gundagai, the Darren Hyde, Dubbo trained Driving Force looked in trouble when near last and trapped behind a wall of horses when turning for home at Coonamble.When the apprentice jockey Mitch Stapleford found clear running, Driving Force charged home to win by a short neck from Titration (Nick Heywood, $4) with a half length to third placed Beauchamp (Shayleigh Ingelse, $13).First to unwrap their presents at Coonamble were the the owners of the Clint Lundholm, Dubbo trained South Bullaway (Will Stanley, $1.95 favourite), all the way winner of the 1100 metres Swanny’s Foods/Wardi Insurance Broking Maiden Handicap.Wyong trainer Damien Lane, like Clint Lundholm, is formerly from Coonamble and he landed a winning double with Go Isla Go (Clayton Gallagher, $1.45 to $1.24 favourite) in the 1200 metres Grays Auto Electrical Coonamble Auto Spares Super Maiden Plate and Zedari (Clayton Gallagher, $2.70 fav.) in the 1300 metres Elders Class 2 Handicap.Scone trainer Rod Northam produced the 4 year old debut maker Casino Stage for a most impressive win in the 1400 metres Jake Kaye Contracting Country Boosted Maiden Plate.Finishing quickly, Casino Stage (Chelsea Hillier, $2.50 fav.) scored by a half length from The Nomad (Serg Lisnyy, $2.60) and Rebel Flyer, Nick Heywood, $5).Rod Northam and apprentice Chelsea Hillier completed a winning double when Love Rules $1.70 fav.) took the lead approaching the home turn and cleared out to win the 2000 metres Moe Jacobs Plumbing Class 1 & Maiden Plate by over three lengths from World Reign (Michael Heagney, $5.50) and Springstreet Blues (Zoe Hunt,$20).PHOTO: Gemma Fitzgerald, Simon Harris, Abby Ryan, Ash Saunders, Claudia Ritchie and Billie Brownlow stayed cool in the shade.Chelsea Hillier and Rod Northam also combined with 3 year filly Sebilla ($6.50) which at debut appealed as a horse to follow when finishing powerfully from a long way back when second to Go Isla Go in the following race.Continuing the run of winning favourites at Coonamble, the Cameron Crockett, Scone trained Leica Storm (Nick Heywood, $2.90 fav.) parked behind the leaders before scoring a close win over Order Of Merit (Will Stanley, $4.80) and Ringside (Shayleigh Ingelse, $15) in the 1400 metres Halcroft & Bennett Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap.Coonamble Jockey Club will host the Western Racing Association qualifier on Sunday March 17th for the Newhaven Park Country Championship.PHOTO: Michael Fletcher, Ken Waterford with sponsor Phil Gray.Racing at Dubbo on Saturday followed by Wellington (Boxing Day), Orange (Thursday 28th) and Gilgandra (Saturday 30th).Gilgandra Cup is on Sunday 7th January 2024 with a Calcutta the previous night.

Thank god for leaf blowers!Despite a rainy lead up to the match on Saturday 25 November nothing was going to stop a day’s play in Tooraweenah, with players sighted craftily drying off a damp wicket with leaf blowers in the lead up to the game.With the pitch all sorted and ready for play the toss commenced, with Gidgee winning and electing to bowl.They made light work of Tooraweenah’s top order, sending the openers Lachlan and Mark Ferguson packing for six runs apiece.Luke Harrison and Curtis O’Connor didn’t fare much better, putting on two runs and six runs respectively.Paul Lambell stuck around but didn’t put many runs on the board, departing for nine.After that Jon Kilby came out providing a welcome boost to the Tooraweenah run total, putting on 42 runs before getting too greedy and swinging at a line and length ball from Justin Fernando which crashed into the stumps.David Neeves (2), Bevan Peart (9), Darcy Neeves (9), Clint Walker (6*), and James Best (0) did their part but couldn’t make the tail wag, and after 35.4 overs Tooraweenah were all out for 112.Justin Fernando was the pick of the Gidgee bowlers notching up four wickets for 24 runs off 6.4 overs.Tyne Chapman, Jake Fernando, and Blake Chapman all grabbed two wickets each.Fifteen extra runs (5 wides, 2 no balls, 1 leg bye, 7 byes) were added to the Tooraweenah total as well.After a quick break Gidgee sent out their opening pair Mark Stewart and Rob Heinrich to get the innings underway.Both started well and wore a few overs of pressure before Rob Heinrich was caught behind off Paul Lambell for nought.Mark Stewart put on another solid performance after last week’s 87 run effort, putting on a quickfire 36 before being caught behind.Jacob Savage and Blake Chapman put on the bulk of the runs and put together a strong partnership, helped along by the Gidgee crowd cheering on their successes as well as the errors of the fielding side.Jacob Savage got caught out after a patient and well-earned 22, sending in Jake Fernando.Jake and Blake looked sure to finish off the game and put another win in the column. However, with Blake caught out on 29, Liam Mulhall was sent in.The run total was met balls later with Jake Fernando (17*) and Liam (2*) walking back to the stands as winners.Gidgee ended up four wickets down for 115 runs after 29.1 overs.

Compiling over fifty years of history into one book is no small feat, especially across a wide geographic area with as much detail as rugby league in NSW country towns.However, it is exactly what author Greg Riach has done in his new book "Rugby League History, Western and Southern NSW 1920 - 1976" about the history of the great game in over sixty country towns across New South Wales.Greg's "passion project" has taken him three and a half years to complete, and features the exploits of teams and players from towns across the western plains.Born and raised in Parkes, Greg's love of country footy started at a young age playing for school sides."Out in country towns rugby league was and is a way of life," said Greg."I always remember when someone scores and all the people sitting in their cars will beep their horns.""Or at the pub after the game, the players and fans breaking down the game."The book focuses specifically on Rugby League in the Central Western region from the years from 1920 through to 1976 covering Groups 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15."I went as far north as Coonamble and Nyngan, down to Temora and Cootamundra, also got Bathurst, Oberon, Mudgee, anything in between," said Greg.Some of the stories that feature in the book include the exploits of old country sides taking on England and France in Orange or Cootamundra, or the story of a side from Tomingley who in the 1940s used gum trees as goal posts, and oil drums filled with water for post-game showers.PHOTO: Author Greg RiachThe first section consists of a summary of each decade and includes the great moments for teams and players. Records were made with some still remaining. Great players and coaches emerged such as Ian Walsh, Bob Weir, John Hobby, Leo Nosworthy, Don Parish, Tony Paskins, Barry Beath, Norm Brown, Earl Harrison and Ken McMullen. The second section highlights players who aspired to represent their region, Southern and Western being predominant with both producing a number of representative players. Southern and Western Division teams played England, New Zealand and French touring teams from the 1920s -1970s. Country trials were also held to select the country Firsts and Seconds teams to play their city rivals each year. Great players emerged from the country teams with some selected to play for Australia. Also highlighted is the 1974 Amco Cup. The third section focusses in particular on the Maher Cup, which was initiated in the southern region and the Jack Hore Memorial Gold Cup which was founded in the western region. The Maher Cup produced some of the greatest rugby league players including Eric Weissel and Jack Kingston who both went on to represent Australia. It covers the inaugural Cup challenge (1920) to its final challenge (1971) and its retirement to Tumut.  The Johnnie Walker and Clayton Cups are also examined. The Johnnie Walker Challenge Cup was initiated in 1922 at a meeting in Dubbo and came to rest in the 1980s.The Clayton cup is highlighted as an award of supremacy for outstanding country rugby league teams. Cobar won the award in 1971 and 1972.  Throughout all sections there are numerous pictures and photos depicting teams, individual players, action shots, cartoons, souvenir programmes and trophies.Greg was helped in his labours by rugby league enthusiasts from around the regoin, including ABC Radio sports reporter Geoff Mann, with Geoff also writing the foreword for the book.The much loved "magic sponge" and the many characters of the game over the years are all on show."There's a bit about everybody in there up until 1976, if you love your history you'll enjoy it.""Country NSW in those days had some great players, it goes through the history and the way of life out there over the years."You can pick up your copy at the Book Connection in Macquarie Street, Dubbo or online using one of the links below. Greg will also be interviewed by Geoff Mann on ABC Radio Western Plains this Saturday morning 9 December.The Book Collection Dubbo: (02) 6882 3311Collins Booksellers Bookshop.OrgBarnes & Noble

By Col Hodges Both with a Nyngan background, the now Dubbo based trainer Brett Robb and jockey Clayton Gallagher, dominated the recent Alan Lloyd Memorial meeting at Narromine.Of the winning treble for Robb, Gallagher won on Rothgate and Rubi Air while appprentice Shayleigh Ingelse rode Wasted Days.The other leg of the Gallagher treble was the Kieren Hazelton, Gilgandra trained Not Too Bad.Racegoers were treated to a magnificent presentation of the Narromine racecourse by curator Ricky Blewitt and Not Too Bad took out the opening event, the 1600 metres Alan Lloyd Memorial Benchmark 58 Handicap.Not Too Bad (Clayton Gallagher, $2.45 favourite) wore down Zounile (Zoe Hunt, $3.20) to win by a short neck with over three lengths to the third placed Foxy Baroness (Mikayla Weir, $4.80). An excellent ride by Clayton Gallagher saw the Brett Robb trained Rothgate (($1.85 fav.) cross from the outside gate and enjoy a nice run close to the lead before beating Outback Crumpet (Mikayla Weir, $18) and Loch Anton Lady (Will Stanley, $3.50) in the 1300 metres CAD Contracting Country Boosted Maiden Plate.Clayton Gallagher completed his treble when bringing the Robb trained Rubi Air ($4.60) from midfield to win the 1100 metres Narromine Shire Council Class 1 Handicap in a photo finish from Destiny’s Bounty (Will Stanley, $10) and Cumnock (Anna Roper, $6).Earlier, the Brett Robb trained debut maker Wasted Days (Shayleigh Ingelse, $9) swooped on the outside to beat I’m Independent (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $1.60 to $1.50 fav.) and Swilken Bridge (Mathew Cahill, $31) in the 800 metres Narromine USMC Maiden Plate.Carrying the all purple colours of Coonamble trainer Michael Denison, the 7 year old mare Owhata Crumpet ($31) was ridden a treat by Andrew Banks when gaining a rails run in the straight to win the 1300 metres QUBE Agri Benchmark 58 Handicap from the leader Boongarra Girl (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $4.60) and Hallowed Star (Ronald Simpson, $5).The other winners were the Jeremy Sylvester, Cessnock trained Olimba (Anna Roper, $3.10 equal fav.) in the 1100 metres Aqua West Maiden Handicap and the Mack Griffith, Mudgee trained Johnny Dash (Anna Roper, $6.50) in the 1100 metres Three Rivers Machinery Case IH Country Boosted Benchmark 66 Handicap.Racing at Warren (Friday), Coonamble (Sunday) and Bathurst (Monday).

“It’s good for us to come out here and put some smiles on these guys’ faces.”Rabbitoh’s star fullback Latrell Mitchell certainly did just that on Wednesday 8 November, when he and five other National Rugby League Women’s Premiership (NRLW) and National Rugby League (NRL) stars came out to host a coaching clinic in Coonamble.After two days in Dubbo and Gilgandra, Caitlin Moran (Newcastle Knights), Caitlin Johnston (Newcastle Knights), Braydon Trindall (Cronulla Sharks), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), and Coonamble local Jesse Ramien (Cronulla Sharks) all came out to spend some time in our community.The day was organised in partnership with sports management group Black Money Enterprises, the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Fair Dinkum Choices, Winmarra, Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation, and of course the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service.The players were taking the trip out west to promote “healthy choices”, whether that be exercise, diet, mental health, social health, or emotional health.The event was limited to one hundred Indigenous children aged between 12 and 16, and proved to be in high demand with the one hundred spots filling up just four days after the event was advertised.Before the clinic at the Coonamble Sportsground at 10 am, the players visited Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service, where they toured the facility and met with the staff.They then headed off to the Coonamble High School (CHS) for a 45 minute meet and greet with students and teachers, with many taking the opportunity to grab a snap with their hero or get a pair of boots or a jersey signed.While most of the players have either grown up in or spent a lot of time in rural communities, for NSW and Penrith Panther Five-Eighth Jarome Luai was on his first real trip out west.“It’s good to be working with the kids,” said Mr Luai.Jarome Luai with high school students from the Coonamble High School“I haven’t spent a lot of time out in rural Australia, it’s good to come out with Black Money Enterprises and the rest of the players and do something for the communities.“The community and the family connection out here is great.”After the players visited CHS they then packed up and got ready for the free clinic at the sportsground.Nevaeh, Harper and AmarleighAfter a welcome to country from Josh Toole’s dance troupe and local NRL players Braydon Trindall and Jesse Ramien, the clinic got underway.The one hundred lucky young people were split up into groups of twenty five and sent off to four different stations where the NRL stars targeted different aspects of rugby league, whether it be passing, running, or communication.The session finished at 1pm, just ahead of a downpour merely minutes after everything was packed up.Fresh off a premiership with the Knights, both the Caitlins were enjoying some time off away from work and football.“It’s great to have some time off and to come out and do something for kids in rural communities,” said Ms Moran.“Being from Newcastle which is a little city, it’s nice to be out here, the pace and comfortability of life is nice,” said Ms Johnson.“It’s good just to get out and into the rural communities.”CEO of Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service Phil Naden said he couldn’t be happier with how the day went.“It’s been amazing,” said Mr Naden.“The calibre of engagement we’ve seen between the communities and the players has been great.”“It’s so good to have current NRL and NRLW players out here, in the past we’ve had retired players come out, but it’s good to have these players that the kids really look up to and that are in their primes coming out.””Programs like this build up the social, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing as well.”

The Castlereagh Cougars Womens sides travelled to Forbes on the weekend for the final round of the Western Womens Rugby League competition, taking on the newcomers, Lachlan District Womens Rugby League sides. All 5 teams made the trek, majority finishing off their season, with no chance of making the finals rounds. The Under 12s side fielding on light numbers with just 1 player on the bench, put in a big effort for their final game but unfortunately couldn’t finish with a win. The Cougars started off well, their defence seeming impenetrable until an injury left them with no reserves. Rhylee Jeffrey claimed Cougars only try for the game, the girls going down 28-4.The Under 14s needing at least a draw to keep their 4th position on the ladder, managed to do just that. Leading by a couple of tries at the back end of the game, it looked like the Cougars were going to walk away with the 2 competition points but Lachlan had other ideas. Crossing for a couple late tries, Lachlan managed to tie the game at 22 all.The Cougars Under 16s side went down in their game, 52-16. With some hard hitting up the middle, Adda Craig nabbed 2 tries for her team, proving too hard to stop. Mikiala Thurston also adding another try to the Cougars tally, slipping through the opponent’s defence. Mikiala also managing to convert 2 from 3 of their tries. The Under 18s side ran out with many Under 16s girls backing up, after a whole season of struggling to field a full side. Coming up against the top of the ladder side, the Cougars knew they were in for a tough one. The Cougars put in a galliant effort, with some fiery exchanges between both sides, unfortunately going down 11 tries to nil. The opens side came out firing in their game against the hosts, with Maddie Masman crossing first for the Cougars. Shortly after, Lachlan scored their only try for the game to bring the teams back to 4 all. It was all the Cougars from there on, Tori Canham putting on a show with 3 impressive tries in the first half. Fullback, Shakaye Walker crossed for a try also, proving too strong for the Lachlan defenders. The momentum was one-sided leading into half time, unfortunately for the Cougars players, the Lachlan side threw in the towel and didn’t return for the second half of the game, forfeiting to the visitors. The final score for the game was 18-4. This weekend the only Cougars side to make finals, the Under 14s, will travel to Bathurst on Sunday to take on 1st place Panaroma Platypi. If successful, the Cougars side will then move onto the Grand Final match in the following week.

Gidgee have started to hit their stride after the harvest break, coming back after three weeks off to beat a strong Coonabarabran side at home on Saturday 11 November.As the temperature gauge goes up the side seemingly gets better, putting on a strong performance across the board.Gidgee won the toss and elected to bat sending out Mark Stewart and Blaike Fernando to set the tone for the match.Blaike stuck around for a few overs, contributing a solid 10 off 33 and getting through the new ball before being dismissed.Joel Gosden came out next, putting on a solid top order partnership with Mark Stewart.Mark ended up scoring a quick fire 52 off 40, which featured five 6’s and 2 4’s before he was bowled by Nick Willoughby.Joel put on a measured 26 off 39 before being caught in the field.Blake Chapman came in at six and put on 31 runs off 54 balls to boost the total up.Tyne Chapman added a quick 14 off 16 balls late in the innings, but after 38.5 overs Gidgee found themselves all out for 177.Coonabarabran’s Nick Willoughby held up the ball after notching up five wickets in the innings after 7.5 overs going for just 28 runs in the process.However, some inconsistent bowling from the entire Coonabarabran attack saw 30 extras added to Gidgee’s run total.In the second innings, Gidgee’s bowling attack came out strong, knocking off the entire top order for a total of 43 runs.However, the tail started to wag a little and the number 7 and 8 batsmen, Lochlan Campbell and Jericho Chatfield put on a worrying partnership for Gidgee.Lochlan ended up with 31 runs off 39 balls, before being caught out.Jericho, after smashing his way to 26 off 20 balls got knocked over by a Tyne Chapman ball that snuck through the gate.After that, Gidgee cleaned up the rest of the tail end rolling Coonabarabran for 115 after 31.1 overs, winning the match.Jake Fernando had a great day with the ball in hand, grabbing 4 wickets off just 6 overs, only going for 15 runs.Tyne Chapman and Justin Fernando were just as strong with the ball getting two wickets each.Blake Chapman grabbed himself a wicket also, in an eight over spell featuring two maidens.Gidgee stay at home next week when they take on Curban Cricket Club on Saturday 18 November.

By Col Hodges Racing aficionados have been scouring the record books since Sunday when Anna Roper rode Scorched Land to victory for Newcastle trainer Todd Howlett in the $75,000 Coonabarabran Bowling Club -Coonabarabran Showcase Cup.A fortnight earlier Anna Roper had won the Coonamble Cup on the Bjorn Baker, Warwick Farm trained Hollywood Hero and the quest is on to discover if an apprentice jockey has previously won the Cups double, Coonamble and Coonabarabran, in the same year.Adding further lustre to the 21 year old riders achievements is the fact she rode the winners of the final 3 races (6, 7, 8) at Coonamble and the winners of races 5, 7, 8) at Coonabarabran.The treble at Coonabarabran took the career tally for Anna Roper to 81 and she can no longer claim an apprentices allowance on country tracks.Resuming race riding in July after an 8 months absence due to serious injury, Anna Roper has been in sensational form and the wins at Coonabarabran on Scarzel, Scorched Land and Dirty Merchant were the result of outstanding rides.PHOTO: Filly on the Field Winner- Local Miss Jess Skinner, Mendooran (Image- Coonabarabran Jockey Club Facebook)Watch Me Rumble established an early four lengths lead in the 1600 metres Coonabarabran Cup followed by Osman and Torowoto with Scorched Land midfield and the favourite Knife’s Edge near the tail in a strung out field.Well rated by Jake Pracey-Holmes, Watch Me Rumble ($5) fought on gamely but was beaten two lengths by Scorched Land ($7.50) which chimed in halfway down the straight while Deel Street ( Clayton Gallagher, $14) came from back in the field with an inside run for third.The other winners for Anna Roper were supplied by Scone trainer Cameron Crockett beginning with Scarzel in the 1100 metres Barrons Tyre $ Mechanical Cup Day Showcase Sprint.With the lead from the outset, Scarzel ($4.20) prevailed in a three way photo finish over Moetta (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $18) and Ezekiel (Aaron Bullock, $1.85 favourite).The Cameron Crockett trained Dirty Merchant (Anna Roper, $3.60 equal fav.) in the 1200 metres Brad Edwards Air Conditioning Country Boosted Showcase Class 2 Plate gained a rails run over the closing stages to beat Exonumia (Aaron Bullock, $3.60 equal fav.) and Sisters Pick (Jayden Barrie, $12).PHOTO: Ray Wann and his family (Image- Coonabarabran Jockey Club)Making it 4 wins in succession the Brett Robb, Dubbo trained Simply Xtravagant defeated a good field in the $40,000 Futurity Pastoral-Baradine Cup, run as a Showcase Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1400 metres.Third to the home turn, Simply Xtravagant ($2.90 to $2.45 favourite) was switched around heels by Clayton Gallagher and in a gripping finish lunged on the outside to beat Ringside ( Jake Pracey-Holmes, $17) and Calgary King Aaron Bullock. $3.40).Clayton Gallagher with very strong rides also won on the debut maker Deion ($6) for Brett Robb and on Foxy Baroness ($3.40) trained by Connie Greig.The other winners at the Cup meeting which attracted the biggest crowd for several years were Break Over (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $3.20 to $2 favourite) trained by Clint Lundholm and Titled Tycoon (Chelsea Hillier, $3 to $1.80 fav.) trained by Rod Northam.Racing at Bathurst TAB on Friday, Mudgee on Saturday and Wellington TAB on Monday.

By Col HodgesConsistent galloper Nicator in a thrilling finish won the Dandy Cup before a big crowd on Saturday at the very well promoted Narromine meeting.Trained at Scone by Stephen Jones, the 6 year old Nicator took the record to 4 wins and 10 placings from 33 starts.Veteran jockey Darryl “Digger” McLellan has been riding in great form and from a wide gate he quickly worked Nicator in to a good position running fourth behind Zounile, Bonhomie and Cemented in the Benchmark 50 race over 1600 metres.Reaching the lead in the straight, Nicator ($6.50 to $10) lasted to win by a short half head from the fast finishing Winter Moon (Mathew Cahill, $9) with a half length to the third placed Zounile (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $4.20).Local trainer Wayne Collison won the CAD Contracting Benchmark 50 Handicap with Luckyimwithaimee ridden by Mathew Cahill who has made a successful return after a lengthy time off with serious injuries from a race fall.i(Image: Narromine Races Facebook)From the outside barrier in the 12 horse field, Cahill found the early lead on Luckyimwithaimee ($9) which held on to score in a three way photo finish from Witness Collector (Andrew Banks, $6 to $4 favourite) and Flying Foxy (Shayleigh Ingelse, $10).Formerly from Coonamble and now a leading trainer at Wyong, Damien Lane won the Narromine Shire Council Maiden Plate (1100 metres) with Alegna.In front most of the way, Alegna (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $6) had 2 lengths to spare at the finish from Harry Tudor ($3.10 fav.) and Violet And Blue (Mathew Cahill, $91).Dubbo based trainer Brett Robb and jockey Clayton Gallagher are a lethal force and they combined with Mr Invincible $4.60) which came from midfield to win the Narromine USMC Class 1 Handicap from Really Motivated (Mikayla Weir, $7.50) and Chelsea Amanda (Darryl McLellan, $7.50).Coming from off the pace, the Jeremy Sylvester, Cessnock trained Cavalheiro ( Kelsey Lenton, $11) won the 1300 metres Three Rivers Machinery Case IH Maiden Plate while the Melissa Dennett, Tamworth trained Takanakuy (Mikayla Weir, $7.50) also ran home strongly from back in the field to win the 800 metres Aqua West Benchmark 58 Handicap. Racing at Bathurst (TAB) on Friday, Mudgee on Saturday and Wellington (TAB) on Monday.

Historic connections to horse racing in Baradine will be recalled when racing buffs, horse owners and punters gather to celebrate a milestone event.Members of the Baradine Jockey Club are commemorating 120 years of racing involvement at a lunch with a display of memorabilia followed by a Baradine Cup Calcutta.Local resident, Roy Matthews has had a lifetime association with country racing in his role as long-serving president of the Western Racing Association. A racehorse owner and member of the Baradine Jockey Club, Roy is also the caretaker of some of the early records of the club.“Records show that over the years the club was actually known by three different names,” Roy says. “In 1902 it was known as the Baradine Amateur Turf Club, then the Soldiers and Citizens Race Club and in the 1950’s the Diggers Race Club.“The club’s honorary secretary in those early days was Baradine identity, John Witter. He was obviously prepared to give his time to work for local community groups and support events that brought benefit to the town. He is recorded as being the organiser of many successful race meets.“Another notable contributor to the local race meets was Mick Worrell, who was the official starter for many years.”Historical records show that horse racing started in Australia not long after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney and was well established by 1810. Since then, horse racing has developed into one of the nations most loved sports. Although officially formed in 1903 the first record of the Baradine Jockey club race meet appears in the Mudgee Guardian of Friday, 8 December, 1899 ‘The Baradine Amateur Jockey Club has a good programme out for 5th January. This is just a week before the Coonabarabran meeting and should just fit in with the requirements of owners.’From that time on there are regular news reports on race meetings held in Baradine.  PHOTO: Locally owned and bred racehorse 'Game Stream' ridden by S. Sprinks and owned by A. Purdy, M.R. Matthews, C.J. Matthews and L. Leonard.Course fencedThe issue of the Coonamble Independent newspaper dated 5 January, 1906 reports that the weather was ‘pretty warm but pleasant and the attendance was exceptionally good. Since the last meeting the Baradine course has been fenced, a saddling paddock enclosure erected and a neat stand built, which proved a great convenience to the officials and also to the public. The appointments were much admired and the stand by people liberally patronised, especially by the ladies, where gay costumes lent a charming appearance to the meeting. The course was in apple pie order and the officials let no stone unturned to achieve an unqualified success, the hon. Secretary (Mr J Witter) being most assiduous in his attentions’.Apparently after the first race Mr J.P Commins unfurled the Federal flag and officially declared the new grandstand open and the Baradine Amateur Turf Club presented John Witter with a gold watch as a token of their appreciation for his value services.An indication of the local enthusiasm for horse racing is gained from the Dubbo Liberal on 25 August, 1914, which reported ‘Baradine is only a small place but the people there are good sports and know how to make life interesting. They now have two race clubs, the Jockey Club and the Amateur Turf Club.’In 1930 a report in the ‘Arrow’ publication had the headline ‘Racing not dead in western NSW’ and rather amusingly stating that ‘Despite the presence of old man Depression, racing is holding its own in the central and far-west. Baradine Soldiers and Citizens Race Club is the latest to hold a successful meeting. There were plenty of gee-gees and lucre there, and the club emerged with a three-figure profit. The ‘books’ had a profitable time with two clean sheets by the unexpected wins of ‘Coonanbar’ and ‘Cylienne Laddi’e. ‘Cylienne Laddie’, who is now owned by that all-wool-and-a-yard-wide Coonabarabran sportsman, ‘Buster’ Brown, won the chief event at the second day in Baradine by a head from ‘Titus’ and ‘Swan Dial’. But racing in Baradine was not without some controversies. In a news report from the Mudgee Guardian of 13 January, 1927 the local horse ‘Coolah Hatton’ won a double at the New Year’s Day races in Baradine. ‘Coolah Hatton carried off the principal handicap of one mile on the first day and followed this up by winning the Baradine Cup over one and a quarter miles on the second day. Mat Fitzpatrick who owns the horse piloted him in both races and on the first day earned the displeasure of the stipendiary steward for careless riding and was fined £8. It appears Coolah Hatton was winning easily, but before reaching the post was eased up by his rider, as a result of which the race was nearly lost.”  In 1951 the Coonabarabran Times reported that three horses fell during the running of the Coral Sea Improvers Handicap at Baradine that resulted in ‘Partando’ being destroyed PHOTO: Baradine Jockey Club members Roy Matthews and Denis Todd holding the original racing records and minute book.FlourishedIn her book ‘Best of Times’, local historian Judith Hadfield writes that the club flourished until WWI when its activities were suspended and then struggled to hold events until the commencement of WWII, when operations were again put on hold. Racing returned to Baradine after the war and regained popularity. However, eventually race meets in the town were affected by the introduction of tougher rules and regulations that control present day events.  In 1954 the consistent local horse ‘Conviviality’ ridden by Arthur Seymour won the Diggers Cup held at the annual race meet. The trophy, donated by Mal McDonald, Jnr was presented to Mr H Fitzsimmons owner/trainer. The then president of the club, Roy Miller congratulated Mr Fitzsimmons on his success and presented a whip to Arthur Seymour.In 1980 longtime Baradine Jockey Club member and racehorse owner, Denis Todd had a winner at Baradine, which was followed with winners at fifty different racecourses.“There are currently about twenty members of the Baradine Jockey Club and we have benefitted from the experience of some excellent trainers over the years,” Denis said.“The history of the Baradine Cup goes back many years and it is still awarded at our annual race meetings, held these days in either Coonabarabran or Coonamble.”Roy added that it is disappointing to see racing dying in small communities because of the difficulty in meeting the regulations and covering operational costs.“The last race meeting was held in Baradine in 1993,” Roy said. “It is sad for our small town; these types of events bring the community together as well as attracting visitors."PHOTO: John Witter, Baradine Jockey Club honorary secretary.InterestCurrent president of the Baradine Jockey Club, Nathan Harris says that in the last few years the club has been lucky enough to have generated strong interest from locals in being committee members.“We can usually fill a 45-seat bus for the annual Baradine Cup meeting,” Nathan said. “A group of us became involved in the jockey club after we purchased a mare ‘Shady Favour’ from the Inglis Easter broodmare sale at Sydney, but it was pretty slow. Denis Todd kindly offered us a service to his stallion ‘Chat up line’ with a condition that we joined the Jockey Club committee! Before that the club was kept functioning with a handful of older locals, who we have now nominated for club life membership.“Moving forward are hoping to open membership to the general public and we still have a dream of holding a race meeting in Baradine, but at another track as unfortunately the original one is no longer usable; but that is another story.” The celebration lunch will be held at the Baradine Bowling Club on Saturday, 21 October with everyone welcome. It will be followed the next day with the running of the Baradine Cup at the Coonabarabran Racecourse.

Over the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October the Coonamble Team Penning Club had their final competition for the year in "pretty perfect" spring conditions at the Coonamble Showground.There were 102 individual riders aged from four to 70-ish competing in different team configurations and age-based categories throughout the weekend.Teams were welcomed from as far afield as the Hunter Valley and Cobar.Saturday's team penning saw 102 runs, across Youth (13-17 years), Junior (up to 12 yrs), Junior Family, Youth Family and Open divisions.Pippa Pennell (5) and Grace Jones (4), teamed up with their parents to compete for the first time, as did primary aged Archie Andrews.The Open section is open to competent riders of all ages and 5 year old Bodhi Luppino joined his parents Brendan Luppino and Kimberley Bird to compete.Bodhi also rode in the Open section in a team with his father Brendon and grandfather Anthony - three generations riding together.The Arena Sorting competition on Sunday saw similar numbers.PHOTO: The Ewenbarn team: Ewan McLeish, Peter and Sue Barnard."We had more locals than we've ever had before, including so many that were new to the sport," said Treasurer & Nominations Manager Carolyn Jones."There are lots of people new to the sport, many of them haven't ridden for a while and it's a great horse sport to do if you want to jump back into riding."Among the local award winners were first time competitors David Finn and Nicole Fester."People are becoming aware of what a great horse sport team penning is," Carolyn says. "Our members all work hard to promote it to anyone we speak to and to get people involved."Even people who come on their own. We'll find them a team of like-minded people and pop them together."PHOTO: John Lundholm tries his hand at team penning. PHOTO: Tracey Moody.Team Penning ResultsJunior - 1st MAT Junior, Mikayla, Azza and Thomas; 2nd Bad Boys, Jack, Joey and Archie.Youth - 1st Pink Rummies, Mia, Sierra-Rose andCooper; 2nd Two girls & a Guy,Kiarni, Jack W and Alyssa; 3rd the Deadly Dawgs, Hope, Tahlia and Tully.Junior Family - 1st Jones Mob - Carolyn, Jack and Grace; 2nd Whose Kids? Azza, Miakyla and Carolyn; 3rd Jones Mob - Carolyn, Jack and Joey.Youth Family - 1st Sliders 2, Joe, Abbie & Isla; 2nd BMG, Bronte, Milla and Glen; 3rd Here's Trouble, Mia, Debbie and Sierra-Rose.Open - 1st Ewenbarn, Sue, Pete and Ewan; 2nd Havin a Crack - Sarah, Alice and Jess; 3rd BOI, Prue, Bradley and Josie.PHOTO: Lindsey Kennedy sorts his steers. PHOTO: Tracey Moody.Arena Sorting ResultsJunior - 1st JMQ Junior, Jack, Mikayla & Quin; 2nd, Coonamble Cool, Mikayla, Archie and Joey.Youth - 1st Fast n Furious 4, Isla, Stacey and Dakota; 2nd & 3rd The Deadly Dawgs, Hope, Tahlia and Tully.Junior Family - 1st Jones Mob, Carolyn, Jack and Thomas; 2nd Whose Kids? Azza, Mikayla and Carolyn.Youth Family - 1st and 2nd BMG, Bronte, Milla and Glen; 3rd Trouble Makers, Kaylah, Stacey and Dakota.Open - 1st Old n New 4, Joe, Jason and John; 2nd Organised Chaos, Carl, Kagan and J'Rhett; 3rd the Hooley Dooleys, Jason, Daniel and Rebecca.PHOTO: Kiarni and Gabbi Smith. PHOTO: Tracey MoodyThere were five herds of thirty cattle on rotation in the team penning and 12 herds in the Arena Sorting.Cattle for the weekend were donated by Ross Chandler and Paul Wheelhouse, and carted to and from the Showground by Kym Walsh and Evan Jackson of JW Jackson & Sons Transport and Paul Wheelhouse."We need multiple pens on both days and we make sure the nominations aren't too high so the cattle are well rested," Carolyn said. "We place great importance in caring for the cattle that have been donated for the event"

by Thelma LeonardRound 2 of the Western Womens Rugby League competition was played over the weekend, with the Castlereagh Cougars sides travelling to Dubbo to take on the Goannas. Under 12sAs usual, the Under 12s were first up for the day. The Cougars Under 12s team battled it out against the Goannas side in a close game, unfortunately ceding 2 tries early on to the opposition which meant they had to play catch-up for the remainder of the game. Try for try kept the Goannas ahead of the Cougars until the end, winning 30-18 and claiming the 2 competition points. Under 14sNext up were the Under 14s, another close game for the Castlereagh club. A big effort was made by the Cougars girls but unfortunately they went down by 8 points, 26-18 to the Goannas. PHOTO: Temia Robinson takes on multiple defensive players during the under 16s game in Dubbo. (Photo: Carly Chynoweth)Under 16sThe Under 16s Cougars side also went down in their game, a few injuries to their players on the day didn’t help. The final score for the game 50-4. Under 18sAnother week in and the Cougars Under 18s team were struggling with numbers, fielding 10 players with the Goannas matching them. The visiting side didn’t give up but unfortunately, fatigue was a big disadvantage, the Goannas eventually running away with a 54-14 score line.PHOTO: Mikaela Cullen leaves Goanna defence in her wake during a sprint for the try line. (Photo: Carly Chynoweth)OpensThe opens team came up against the Goannas for the first time since a narrow loss to them at the end of last season, with the hopes of redeeming themselves from that painful loss. In what was a rather warm afternoon the stage was set, the cougars applied pressure early and hit the score board first with a try to centre Georgie Lane. Goannas were the next to score crossing the line twice, a great cut out pass from half Tori Canham allowed winger Mikaela Cullen to score and the cougars were back in it. Strong running in the middle of the field from the likes of Hannah Carroll and Hayley Andrews and sharp decisions out of dummy half from Madi Masman continued to put the cougars on the front foot allowing the halves the time and space to utilise the fast running of the backs and gain crucial field position. It wasn’t long before Hayley Andrews would have a huge run to crash over and put the Cougars in front, Cullen would score again off a cross field kick from Canham. Shakaye Walker would be the next player to score for the Cougars which was a brilliant reward for the effort she put in all game, with some crucial carries from the back that troubled the Goanna’s defence. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and the Goanna’s mounted a last-minute comeback in the final 7 minutes of the game to snatch a victory from the Cougars, bringing the final score to 34-24 in what could have only been described as a very hard hitting game of Rugby League.

By COLIN HODGESThe biggest crowd at Coonamble over recent years saw highly talented apprentice Anna Roper continue her comeback from serious injury when riding the final 3 winners including the $75,000 Cup on the Bjorn Baker, Warwick Farm trained Hollywood Hero.Thrown from her mount after the finish of a race at Muswellbrook last November, Roper resumed race riding in July at Kempsey.The first of her Coonamble treble came aboard the Cameron Crockett Scone trained Rajnish in the 1200 metres Keady Family Showcase Crystal Sprint.Taking the lead from Beauchamp in the straight, Rajnish ($4) held off the strong finishing Impact Star (Darryl McLellan, $9) by a half length, with Beauchamp ( Jake Pracey-Holmes, $12) a length away third.Fourth in the Dubbo Cup and third in the Bathurst Cup, the $4 favourite Hollywood Hero broke through to win the 1600 metres Geronimo Farm Equipment/New Holland Coonamble Showcase Cup, an eligibility race for the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick in November.Notabadidea, Nieces And Nephews, Watch Me Rumble and Too Good To Be Tru were the leaders turning for home before Hollywood Hero (Anna Roper) from well back burst through the pack to win the Cup from Irish Kisses (Braith Nock, $6) and Strombus (Aaron Bullock, $4.20).Apprenticed to Wyong trainer Damien Lane, Anna Roper completed her treble on the Lane trained Bare To Witness in the 1100 metres Inland Petroleum Class 2 Showcase Handicap.PHOTO: Apprentice jockey Anna Roper on Gold Cup winner Hollywood Hero.Producing a tremendous finishing run from near the tail of the field, Bare To Witness ($2.20 to $2 favourite) wore down Smart And Dapper (Mikayla Weir, $9) to win by a long head with over two lengths to the third placed Sisters Pick (Grant Buckley, $15).Damien Lane, formerly from Coonamble, had earlier won the 1300 metres QUBE Agri Maiden Showcase Handicap with $61 outsider Bold Storm which led all the way with Ben Looker in the saddle.An undoubted highlight at Coonamble was the $50,000 Showcase Picnic Championship with the field for the Final being comprised of the top 12 point scorers over the Picnic circuit.Dubbo trainer Connie Greig supplied 8 of the starters and it was a spectacular sight when all her runners carried the purple and yellow stable colours.Formerly from Brazil, leading Picnic jockey Leandro Ribeiro, rode a brilliant tactical race to win the Final on the Connie Greig trained Inzaghi.PHOTO: Dympna Simpson (nee Horan) with daughters Bridie and Niamh and sister Alana Horan.The plan was to have Inzaghi ridden back in the field however Ribeiro took advantage of the slow early pace and led throughout on Inzaghi ($4 equal favourite) to win by almost three lengths.Sons Of Bourke (Zara Lewis, $10) from the Rodney Robb stable at Nyngan came from near last to finish second with the Rob Potter, Canberra trained Madison Point (Sebastian Galea, $4 equal favourite) finishing third while the Connie Greig trained Valadyium (John Wilson) was fourth.Connie Greig and her business partner Michelle Jones were staunch supporters of the Picnic circuit around New South Wales with starters at the majority of meetings and success in the Final was well deserved.PHOTO: The Cocks Matt, Elizabeth (Lil) and John.Apprentice jockeys had a good day at Coonamble and Jake Barrett with outstanding rides landed a winning double on Belleistic Kids ($4.60) and Ammahell ($8) for the Canberra based trainer partnership of Barbara Joseph, Paul Jones and Matt Jones.After successive wins at Dubbo, the Brett Robb trained Simply Xtravagant (Clayton Gallagher, $3.70 favourite) competed the hat-trick in the 1400 metres Swanny’s Food & XXXX Benchmrk 66 Handicap while the Todd Howlett trained King Rupert (Mikayla Weir, $15) set the pace and lasted to win the 1100 metres Woodhams Petroleum and Paragon Pastoral Maiden Plate in a close finish.

What a weekend of greyhound racing in Coonamble.The October long weekend Coonamble Carnival attracted racegoers from far and wide, with an estimated 850 through the gates over the course of the three days.The locals certainly had a good showing as well with a few Coonamble trainers and owners getting in on the spoils.Aiden Lee came away with a win on Monday in Race 6 with his two year old Snail Blazer, and had two more places to boot throughout the weekend.Bobby Green was “unofficially” training his nephew Jamie McHugh’s two year old Blaze Duck and came away with two wins in Race 3 on Friday and Race 7 on Monday.Damien Lee who was unable to attend the track on the weekend still got in on the shares with a win in Race 2 on Monday when Sky Shine came home strong.But it was Graham Pickering who stole the show over the weekend coming away with three wins on the Friday night with Swift Dennis in Race 4, Armatree Sparkle in Race 15, and Proficiency to take home the John Harris Memorial Trophy in Race 12.Graham also had a slew of placings, with eight over the course of the three day carnival.In the Bryan Rylands Memorial race on Friday night, longtime supporters of the Coonamble Carnival Melanie and Anthony Mabbott from Tamworth zipped home for a win with their two year old Zipping Vader.As Coonamble Greyhound Racing Club President Graham Pickering was happy with another great weekend for Coonamble.“It was a great local turn out all weekend,” said Mr Pickering.“Compared to the last carnival the crowds were up which was good and we had $15,000 in the Calcutta as well, it was a great weekend.”“Hopefully we’ll be able to run it again next year.”