FORBES CUP WINNER: Gayna Williams trained From The Bush holds out Reward Seeker and Toulon Brook to take out the Bankstown Sports Club Forbes Cup for 2021 last Sunday at Forbes Racecourse.

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.