Mallawa Picnic Races were full of surprises on the track this year.
Although a sunny day made for a great day trackside, race favourites were consistently knocked out of placing across the six-race program.
The most notable upset was in the 1400m Mallawa Cup. Race favourite General Relativity ran poorly into sixth place, 13.6m behind leader Annette’s Pumpkin.
Trainers reported that most of the local horses had not had much work going into the Mallawa Picnic Races due to the recent wet weather.
Local trainer Peter Sinclair, who trains General Relativity, said all his horses’ performances were disappointing on the day.
“We missed the work before Mallawa and the track was really heavy so the horses knocked up,” he said.
In the Mallawa Cup Annette’s Pumpkin took out first place, followed by local trainer Martin Fernando’s Dandy Kat, and Miss Chancexaar in third place.
Fernando also took out fourth place with Crowntreno.
Moree trainer Peter Cleal’s Tough Habit came in at fifth.
Tough Habit, Annette’s Pumpkin and Miss Chancesxaar were all slow to start with. Annette’s Pumpkin over-raced and had to be steadied away from Dandy Kat at the 600m mark, however she came home strong.
General Relativity’s jockey Patrick Kelly said his horse was able to travel well in the early and middle stages but on straightening the gelding was noticeably tiring. Sinclair plans to race General Relativity again at Talmoi on June 23.
Locally owned veteran racehorse War On Everything performed poorly, coming home in 10th position. Trainer Geoff O’Brien revealed the gelding would now be retired.
Some local trainers did well in the maiden and class B races.
Geoff O’Brien’s Mannare came in first in the 850m Maiden Plate.
Peter Blanch had a win with Terry Hie Hie Rose in the 1200m Maiden Plate, O’Brien’s Spitfire Tony placed second and Fernando’s Kokoda Star came in third.
Nathan Sinclair’s Sally Supreme also ran second in the Mallawa Bracelet.
Peter Sinclair had high expectations for race favourites Ree ‘n’ Trav, and Bleue Pepite in the 850m Class B Handicap, but they came in at fourth and fifth.
Stewards reported Bleue Pepite was slow to begin after the gates on the barriers bounced back and so he lost ground.
Mallawa Amateur Picnic Race Club committee members were pleased to have 1400 people through the gate, an increase on last year’s crowd numbers.
Many race-goers stayed on into the night and were entertained by Dan Murea and The Contractors.