Racegoer Kara Banson caught up with Mountain Brew yesterday. Trainer Martin Fernando is aiming to win the bracelet with Mountain Brew at all three picnic races this year, starting with the Moree Picnic bracelet on Saturday.
This year’s Moree Picnic Races are expected to draw in a competitive field due to trainer and jockey bonuses.
The Moree Picnic Races are on this Saturday, and is shaping up to be entertaining both on and off the track.
The racing will see a six-race program with plenty of local representation. There have been 64 nominations for the races. Local trainer nominations include Martin Fernando with horses Mountain Brew, Crowntreno, Hejaz and Princess Gem; Peter Sinclair with Are You Kidding, General Relativity and Crystal Club; Nathan Sinclair with Sally Supreme and Innocent Billy; and Peter Blanch with Terry Hie Hie Rose and Faithfully Madica. Moree Picnic Race Club president Scott Carrigan said nominations were strong this year. “The cup and bracelet both have full fields of nominations,” he said.
“The racing side looks excellent, it will be strong and competitive.”
The most hotly contested races will be the $4,500 Boolooroo cup (1400m) and the $3,500 picnic bracelet (950m).
The cup is headed up by Lea Selby’s Rhodonite and Peter Sinclair’s Crystal Club and General Relativity. Rhodonite won last year’s cup, with General Relativity coming in second.
Fernando’s Mountain Brew and Princess Gem and Nathan Sinclair’s Sally Supreme will race in the bracelet. Mountain Brew placed second in the bracelet last year.
One thousand dollar bonuses this year may have been part of the reason for such a strong field, and drawing jockeys from as far south as Victoria. “We have strong prize money and bonuses at all three race meets,” Carrigan said.
“The AgVantage golden triangle is well established on the racing circuit.”
Aside from the racing, the picnic races are some of the premier social events for Moree. This year the dinner dance commencing at about 5.30, will see Sydney band Furnace and the Fundamentals entertain the crowd. Dress is strictly coat and tie for this event.
Tickets for the races can be purchased from Pitman Deakin or online, although tickets purchased online at this stage will be held for pick-up at the gate.
Tickets for the night function can be purchased from Pitman and Deakin or online at moreepicnicraces.com.au. Tickets cannot be purchased at the gate for the night event.