Forbes Pony Club riders will represent their Zone this week at the Pony Club State Tetrathlon Championships to be held in Denman in the Hunter Valley. The event sees riders compete in a variety of sports in a version of the Olympic Pentathlon event and requires the competitors to be all round athletes. Competitors will ride a show jumping round, run a cross country course, swim and shoot.

President Gary Tomlinson is excited about the members being able to compete at this level and in a different type of equestrian sport. Competitors from the Club will be Tess Worland, Jemma Hodder and Jake Tomlinson with a fourth rider Freya Hooper unfortunately having to withdraw.

“It is so great to have so many keen young riders in our Club wanting to have a go at something different and be competitive”, said Mr Tomlinson.

“Who knows, we may even run our own tetrathlon here in Forbes one day!”

Forbes Pony Club meets regularly for Rally Days and membership is now open. For enquiries please contact the club secretary at forbesponyclub@gmail.com

In a story to rival any Hollywood script, Bathurst teenager Will Stanley has ridden back-to-back wins in the Total Wear Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup. This years win on Dubbo-trained Valydium was one of the most sensational rides since the first race at the current Bedgerabong track in 1933.

Valydium, a $12 half-chance at the start of the race, started slowly and had plenty to do with most of the ten-strong field sitting in front at the halfway mark of the race. The Michael Gray $5 chance The Bald Eagle sat at the front and it was going to take a mighty effort from the Connie Greig led Valydium to run down the pacesetters as they approached the home turn.

Yet somehow, 18-year-old Stanley, who will soon take on an apprenticeship in a bid to crack the metropolitan ranks, mustered a sensational burst out of Valydium as the Dubbo-based horse closed the gap. As the finish line approached, both horses were neck-and-neck as Nepenthes also hit top speed in a last gasp effort for glory.

Stanley, who showed the same composure only a year before when winning his first Bedgerabong Picnic Race Cup on Song One, hit the throttle and Valydium won by a length. The victory made it two from two for the young hoop as Greig and connections took honours over Nepenthes and The Bald Eagle in third.

For jockey Will Stanley though it was hard to believe. “I just want to thank everyone involved with the horse,” the rider said. “Valydium is a fantastic horse and the track and conditions here are superb!”

Leandro Ribeiro had three wins on the day while Bryan Dixon also took two with Shiny Agent and Penny’s Bonita.

Forbes Pony Club Rally Day Success

Forbes Pony Club’s first rally day of 2022 last Sunday was an outstanding success. There were lots of smiles according to all reports! A note that the Zone 11 AGM is on February 15th from 7pm at the Forbes Bowling Club while Harden Pony Club will be running an ODE on Sunday March 6. To keep updated please follow the Forbes Pony Club Facebook page.

West Wyalong 50th Anniversary Knock Out

The Evolution Mining West Wyalong Rugby League Knockout is on again on February 25 and 26. It will be the 50th instalment of the popular event that attracts the crème de la crème of country rugby league west of the Great Divide. Not only is it a chance for players to have an early hit out and see how they match up against opposition groups but it will be vital for teams to establish combinations before the season starts.

Forbes Flat Track Annual Double Header

The Forbes Autosports Club Flat Track Annual Double Header is on April 2 and 3 at Forbes Hoopers Road track! There is a large amount of prizemoney up for grabs and the club hopes to see participants from far and wide. On May 6, 7 and 8th the All Australian Ride-On Mower Racing Champs will also be returning to Forbes in 2022 and should prove popular again. For more info email secretary@arolmra.net

Big Wins For Forbes Fins

A big congrats to all participants at the Mountains and Plains Summer Swimming Championships last weekend. The Forbes Fins had a huge medal haul with Leo Dwyer and Charlie Howe both winning their age groups! Well done!

When the red light flashes tomorrow in the first race of the COVID-safe 2022 Bedgerabong Picnic Race Club meeting, it will mark the sign of the first real return to normality for those in the picnic racing industry since early October last year.

With about 2000 tickets sold, the 2022 edition of the Bedgerabong Picnic Races tomorrow Saturday February 12 should be one of the best after two years of COVID-related dramas. It will also be the first picnic race club meeting in 100 days and a welcome breath of fresh air for industry types.

The main event this year is the $9,000 Total Wear Bedgerabong Picnic Cup over 1400 metres. Traditionally, a hotly contested race – this year should be no different with a number of chances more than likely to win the cup. There will also be five supporting races making for a great day out.

Fashions in the Field, foot races, entertainment for the whole family as well as after race music by popular band Foxxy Cleopatra will feature on the day as excitement reaches fever pitch for organisers who have been working hard bringing the track and facilities up to standard for the event.

In positive news for the picnic racing industry, Condobolin (Saturday February 19), Yass (Saturday February 26) and Tottenham (Saturday March 5) are also slated to return.

Tickets to the 2022 Bedgerabong Races are now online through 123tix. Adults $20 and children under 15 free. There aren’t many left and tickets will not be sold at the gate!

Fashions on the Field categories are:

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Ladies

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Gentleman Bedgerabong’s Best Headwear

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Local Ladies – local defined as within 100km

• Bedgerabong’s Best Dressed Local Gentleman

• Bedgerabong Local Junior (Boys/ GirlsU18).

Forbes Pony Club’s recent AGM has seen Gary Tomlinson take over the president’s role from Laurie Norris. Other roles include Club Captain Rachael Morgan, Secretary Juliet Hodder and Treasurer Felicity Worland. In a first for the club, junior members Freya Hooper as Junior club Captain and Jake Tomlinson as Junior Zone Representative with President Gary Tomlinson will also represent the club at Zone meetings.

Tomlinson paid tribute to outgoing President Laurie Norris – “Laurie will remain as chief instructor and we are grateful for his support and all he has done.”

The Forbes Pony Club will host its first rally day Sunday 6th February starting at 10am and encourages anyone who is interested in joining to either show up on the day or contact the club Secretary Juliet Hodder via email on forbesponyclub@gmail.com

 

Big Congrats Nat Mihalic On Her RSNC Performance!

Our very own Natalie Mihalic headed to Las Vegas to compete with the rest of the Australian team in the RSNC All Star Sorting Bowl last weekend and performed extremely well against top class competition from across the world.

The CINCH All Star Sorting Bowl carries $100,000 in prizes and attracts only the very best ranch sorters. Well done Nat and the Aussie team on a great effort!

Check out the RSNCA Facebook page for all the photos!

 

Applications Open For $200 million Sports Boost

Modern and inclusive sporting facilities are the focus of a new NSW Government $200 million fund to encourage people across the state to enjoy the benefits of sport, regardless of their age, gender or ability, with applications now open.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund will invest in new or upgraded venues across the state with $100 million available in 2021/22 and a further $100 million in 2022/23.

Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said for some people, existing community sport facilities may not meet their needs and even discourage them from taking part.

“We want to actively encourage gender inclusiveness and accessibility in our facilities so that everyone can get out and play,” Mrs Ward said.

The Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund will offer funding through a competitive grants process and is a key initiative of the NSW Government’s jobs-creation sports infrastructure plan, providing a construction boom. Grants of between $1 million to $5 million are available, with applications for the 2021/22 round closing on Friday, 25 February, 2022.

For more details, see: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/multi-sport-community-facility-fund.

It’s the race that stops a nation and this year after nearly 18 months of lockdowns and disruptions, the Forbes Inn, like many other pubs and clubs across the state, will celebrate the Melbourne Cup.

From lucky door prizes, promos and specials, Forbes Inn manager Gem Williamson and her team are already getting organized for the big race.

“Like many, we can’t wait for the big day and more people coming back into the Inn,” she said.

“It has been far too long’ and it is great to see our nation’s biggest sporting event bring everyone together,” she said.

“We are so excited to start having more people back!”

With current COVID restrictions, numbers will be fixed for Melbourne Cup Gar-den Party so punters are asked to get there early to avoid disappointment.

“We will have drink specials, best dressed, snacks and light refreshments, sweeps, loser draw and more,” said Gem.

“Bottles of Sparkling will be available for bookings of 10 people or more and our TAB will be open from 7:30am so it will be an action-packed day and a great way to welcome back everyone after a difficult few years,” she said.

“Can’t wait to see more familiar faces and catch up with everyone after a long time. I am sure many others are the same so it makes for a fantastic day at the Forbes Inn!”

While Forbes has no representation in this year’s big race, there will be cold beverages on tap and plenty to get involved in as a distraction.

“Our normal menu will also be available and our friendly staff will be on hand to help you with everything from signing in to placing a bet,” said Gem.

Sounds good to us! Gem, you’re a gem, see you then! Check with staff for latest COVID info.

The Gayna Williams Bathurst trained From The Bush has beaten Reward Seeker by 3/4 length with Toulon Brook third in a time of 1:38 to win the Bankstown Sports Club Forbes Cup over 1600m last Sunday at Forbes Racecourse in wet, gloomy conditions.

With rain and COVID dampening the flagship day, a solid turn-out was on hand all things considered, to watch the “deepest field to ever contest the Forbes Cup” according to caller Col Hodges who was celebrating 50 years as a caller. It didn’t disappoint.

Forbes Jockey Club started with a strong eight-race-card and $270,000 in prizemoney on offer. The record prize money saw some very competitive racing with She’s Smart taking the chocolates in the Shead Nicholson Class 2 Handicap for Claire Lever while Lockdown Gamble won the preceding event.

Yet all eyes were on the main event and jockey Anthony Cavallo rode the five-year-old brown gelding to perfection holding off more fancied rivals on a heavy track that copped more rain throughout the day.

Coming from barrier 14, From The Bush was carrying 55kgs and had brought solid form into the showcase event with four wins from only ten starts to go with two seconds and a third. The horse had never won at this distance having only won at 1400m so the challenge was there to go where it hadn’t gone before and it did.

Sitting among the leaders with the straight in it’s sights, From The Bush scooted to the front leaving challengers in its wake as they headed for the post. The Poet’s Voice cross Endaxi sprinter had just enough to keep a swarm of contenders at bay.

Cavallo was ecstatic with the win, with $22,000 going to winning connections from the $50,000 purse, while second claimed $8,950 and third a handy cheque for $5,000.

Forbes Jockey Club 2021 Forbes Cup is on this weekend in what promises to be one of the best days on the regional racing calendar in recent memory. From stellar fields to packed galleries, the event is sure to be a great day out!

The FJC has been flat out at the track from designing new facilities for female jockeys to new rails and bar extensions – the venue has never looked better according to many and the track is in excellent condition despite heavy rainfalls throughout June and July.

A massive boost in prize money has seen the annual event moved from a Saturday to this Sunday, August 1, for the first time in half a century to accommodate the new status. As a showcase meeting, the event has attracted some excellent competition as well. There’s even a country maiden worth $40,000.

The Forbes Jockey Club has remained in discussions with Racing NSW about COV-ID restrictions, and at this stage the club is all set to welcome locals however the event’s long-time supporters from Bankstown Sports Club won’t be able to attend this year due to the Greater Sydney lock-down.

Tickets can be bought online via 123tix. com.au and secure their tickets early. Look out for the posters around town and scan the QR code for a link straight to the Forbes races options.

General admission is just $10 or $5 for pensioners however there is a VIP marquee where for $120 you’ll get canapes, drinks and a race book.

All events will be run as per the COVID-19 restrictions on the day.