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By Mark Brassel

The approaching Easter break will be chock-full of some cracking racing action with eight NSW country race meetings scheduled across the four-day break.

Heading the list is the Back O’Bourke picnic meeting on Easter Sunday which successfully returned to racing back in 2015 following a 12-year hiatus, missing 2020 due to COVID health orders.

“It’s a fantastic day out for the family and many thanks go to our hard-working committee, sponsors, supporters and volunteers,” said the race club’s secretary, Sarah Barton.

“Other attractions include a variety of food stalls, a jumping castle for the kids and a Fashions on the Field.

“We’ll also have a full bar operating along with TAB and betting facilities, and live music after the last race.

“The Club also offers a range of merchandise including stubby holders and mesh trucker caps.”

The Back O’Bourke picnic races are the highlight of Bourke’s Easter Festival that starts on Good Friday with the ‘Easter Colour Run’ followed on Easter Saturday by the Central Park Easter Markets, street parades and a wool bale rolling contest.

The Back O’Bourke Calcutta is at Bourke Bowling Club on Saturday evening before Easter Sunday sees a sunrise pancake brekkie and the Giant Easter Egg Bunt prior to the races in the afternoon.

Leandro Ribeiro took the honours at last year’s meeting booting home the first three winners for different trainers.

On Easter Saturday around 300km north-east of Bourke will be Lightning Ridge races – run on Australia’s only straight track course.

Saturday’s race card has six events, and the day will feature a Fashions on the Field.

Lightning Ridge also comes to life in Easter with the town’s festival highlighted by events such as the Ridge Factor talent quest, the Miners Challenge, Big Dig and Little Dig novelty events, a float parade, market stalls, and a fireworks spectacular.

Moruya Jockey Club also races on Easter Saturday with their Rotary Easter Charity Ladies Day.

“Ladies get in free with on-course facilities including a bar, TAB, bookmakers, as well as the Rotary-run kiosk and the Moruya Ice Cream Café servicing the Member’s room,” said MJC’s executive officer, Ken Brown.

“Other food offerings include Cut & Run Pizza, Mr Salubrious (Mexican Cuisine) as well as D’Lish D’Lite Donuts and an ice cream van. There will also be the Caffeissimo Coffee Van on site.

“The kids will have a jumping castle and other attractions include a DJ in the special Canadian Club Bar and a Fashions on the Field.

“We have bus services running from Club Tuross at 12.15pm returning from the racetrack at 5pm for just $10.”

UPCOMING NSW RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Grafton
Tuesday: Tamworth
Saturday: Moruya, Port Macquarie, Lightning Ridge (non-TAB), Tocumwal (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra, Mudgee, Back O’Bourke picnics (non-TAB)