Parkes Phoenix Editor

RACE READY: People from across the state are anticipated for the first picnic race meeting in over 100 days when the annual Bedgerabong Picnic Races take place on February 12. Despite new COVID rules, the event shapes as a huge day with tickets selling fast. INSET: The day will feature a range of promotions and entertainment for the family including the highly popular fashions in the field.

The countdown is on until the Bedgerabong Picnic Races on February 12 and the buzz is starting to build after 100 days between picnic race days.

In NSW, the most recent picnic meeting was held on October 9, with Albury hosting a six-race pop-up meeting, while the Picnic Champion Series final, held at Coonamble on October 10, was the most recent picnic race held in NSW. In racing terms, it’s been the length of the straight and many are keen to get back to the track if not just for the social interaction at least.

Picnic meetings were meant to be held at Harden on October 23, Bong Bong on November 19 and Trangie on December 19, but the three meetings were abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bedgerabong is the next meeting on the Racing NSW calendar, with the February 12 meeting the start of what is a good stretch of picnic meetings, but it doesn’t change the fact that picnic troops will have gone more than four months without a race ride.

This year, it is hoped that the disruptions are a thing of the past with strict COVID protocols to protect all race goers in place for the first event of the 2022 calendar. It will also be the first event at Bedgerabong Racecourse in months with other events such as Australia’s Biggest Bogan Festival cancelled late last year due to the pandemic.

The day promises to be a cracking event with fashions in the field, TAB and plenty of things to do for the family. It will also be a welcome return for many who haven’t worked since the last picnic race meetings in early October.

With tickets selling fast, picnickers are encouraged to pre-purchase early to avoid disappointment. Go to: www.123tix.com.au/events/24230/bedgerabong-picnic-races

*Additional info courtesy of Jeff Hanson,Racing NSW

PAWS OF THUNDER WINNER: Raymond Smith of Irinka Kennels with Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder winner Jungle Deuce.

Jungle Deuce has bounced back superbly from the Phoenix TAB run on December 18 having qualified and then won the non-graded Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder Race 8 over 520 metres at Wentworth Park last Saturday night. For Forbes trainer and Irinka Kennels operator Raymond Smith, it is a continuation of some sensational form from his chargers with even Irinka Riley making the final of the event.

Yet despite having two chances in the main event, it was Jungle Deuce from the four box who all eyes were on as the classy tracker continued her recent rivalry with Wow, Do It and Bandit Ned. It was Wow in the five though that had all the early running having opened a decent lead after the second section.

Though as Jungle Deuce has done so often, the dark-haired superstar found a spark and quickly made up the ground on the pre-race $2.80 favourite to draw level as they approached the straight.

With the Michael Hardman trained Chase Me Honey also in the mix in third, it was a match race between the two pre-race fancies as they hit the post with Jungle Deuce holding out by three-quarters of a length in 29.52 – only four-tenths faster than Wow with Chase Me Honey nearly two lengths back in third. Irinka Riley came in eighth in a brave showing against quality opposition.

For Smith and Irinka Kennels connections though, it is another great win among a line of plenty from his entourage that includes Miss Ezmae and Midnight Flash –both of whom have also had recent success. 2022 is shaping up to be a good onetoo!