Cult picnicker Track Flash is on target to join an elite group of gallopers at Moree Picnic Races this Saturday by becoming just the third horse in nearly 100 years to win a hat-trick of time-honoured Boolooroo Cups after collects in 2017 and 2018.
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Champion picnicker Mulgate, trained by Eric Jurd, won four on end in 1959-1960-1961-1962 and Royal Toga, trained by Clive Dixon, put three Boolooroo Cups together in 1966-1967-1968.
Track Flash has already equalled dual winners Thalaba (1934-1935), Sarah Bay (1963-1964), Passing Trade (1970 and 1973), Dandy Secret (1977-1978), Carve Niche (1985-1986), Sahara Bounty (1992 and 1994) and Midas Boy (2000-2001).
The locally-owned gelding also aims to give Moree trainer Peter Sinclair an unprecedented 13 Boolooroo Cups since 1995.
Incredibly, Sinclair has won the last seven Boolooroo Cups - Crystal Club (2012), Joppick (2013), Tapakeg (2014), One Double (2015), Dungiven (2016) and Track Flash in 2017 and 2018.
Track Flash goes into the May 25 Boolooroo Cup after two eye-catching runs at Warialda (4th) and Quambone (3rd).
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Track Flash's part-owner, Moree vet Charlie Bunce, said the star picnicker will attempt a hat-trick on May 25.
"Track Flash is getting a bit old so it will more than likely be his last campaign. But he's won the past two Boolooroo Cups and the idea of winning three in a row is very appealing," Bunce smiled.
Sinclair also has contentions in each of the five other races, with Free Billy, Happens Nomore, Master Cramsie, Palace Street, Brooklyn Beach, Nazare and One Sock nominated. Gilded Spirit, trained by Sinclair's son Nathan is nominated for the 950m Moree Bracelet, while fellow Moree trainer Doug Fernando has Beau in Chains in the same race.
Meanwhile, the punishing drought conditions have not deterred a horde of Moree and district businesses from throwing their monetary weight behind the annual six-race meeting, which kicks off bush racing's Golden Triangle.
Moree Picnic Race Club president Hannah Boland said the support has been nothing short of amazing.
The Moree and district business community has astounded us with support for our race-day, through sponsorship during this unrelenting drought, Boland said.
Major sponsors B&W Rural, Kenway and Clark, Graincorp, Chesterfield, North West Events and Marquees and Aircair Aviation headline a long list of local and regional businesses supporting the annual race-day.
Trophies for all Moree races are currently on display at Stephen Sparke Jewellers on Heber Street.
The Moree meeting, with gates opening at midday, features entertainment by Jac Drenkhahn throughout the day.
The Beauty Matters Fashion on the Field competition, to be judged by local fashion experts Sarah Kirkby and Toy Barwick showcases a vast inventory of prizes donated by local businesses.
The important announcement of two life memberships will also be made during the meeting.
These life memberships will be awarded to outstanding individuals that have made a significant contribution and have had a great influence on the Moree Picnic Race Club, Boland said.
The race club committee, in conjunction with Joe Hayne from North West Events & Marquees, has also made further changes to the race-day lay-out.
We hope these changes will enhance the atmosphere for race-goers, Boland said.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service volunteers will again assist with bar-ticket sales and the traditional calcutta, well-known for pulling a massive final pool, will be held on the Boolooroo Cup.
The evening dinner-dance, catered by Relish, features entertainment by world-renowned musician Rennie Adams.
We are planning a big day of racing and big night of entertainment and the committee has elected to make donations to charities that service and support our local community, Boland said.
Rounds two and three of the Golden Triangle, at Mallawa and Talmoi, are scheduled for Saturday, June 8 and Saturday, June 22 respectively.