Latest News

By Colin Hodges

When the filly Burbie won a Maiden Handicap on Wellington Boot day in 2014, the owners Gulargambone couple Peter and Lou Webb, probably didn't dream they would be back in 2025 to win the Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club-Wellington Boot with Comongin, a foal of Burbie.

The only win for Burbie came when ridden by Daniel Northey for trainer Clint Lundholm and beating Heavenly Pins and Delightful Day, however, there were nine placings from the 21 starts.

Career earnings were $24,000 - loose change when compared to the first prize won by Comongin in the $200,000 Wellington Boot, the richest race west of the Great Divide.

Wellington Boot-winning trainer Brett Robb. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Named after a property once owned by the grandfather of Peter Webb, at Quilpie in south west Queensland, Comongin at his only two starts had finished third at Scone and Quirindi.

Now living at Dubbo, the Webbs have raced horses with moderate success on country tracks and Comongin gave them their biggest win while it was the first Wellington Boot win for trainer Brett Robb and jockey Clayton Gallagher, both from Dubbo.

Brett Robb who won the recent WRA Country Championships Qualifier with Gallant Star is an outstanding trainer while Clayton Gallagher is in the top bracket of country jockeys.

Opposing a quality field of two-year-olds prepared by high profile city, provincial and country trainers, Comongin ($6 to $10) was taken to the early lead by Clayton Gallagher and kicked away in the straight to win by over two lengths.

Second was the Bjorn Baker, Warwick Farm-trained Alabama Charm (Winona Costin, $5.50) and Bullant (Mitch Stapleford, $13) trained at Scone by Lyle Chandler was third.

Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm supplied the quinella with Crook and Miss Piera in the following race, the 1100m LSS Locksmith & Security Country Magic Class 1 Showcase Handicap.

Near the lead from the outset, Crook (Georgina McDonnell, $21) made it two wins in succession when a half length winner over Miss Piera (Grant Buckley, $5) and Star Intrigue (Clayton Gallagher, $3.30 favourite).

The 3yo filly Crook is from the mare Crim and was bred and is raced by Michael Kennedy, a former member of the NSW Country Racing Council who had a long time involvement with race clubs at Coonamble and Come-by-Chance before retiring to Orange.

Mack Griffith who recently won his hometown Mudgee Cup as the trainer of Osman, has added to the trophies with Aimpoint winning the $100,000 Grand Hotel & Bottle Shop Wellington Cup over 1700m.

Leading most of the way, Aimpoint (Braith Nock, $6 to $4.80) won by two lengths from Cliff House (Nick Heywood, $5) and Oakfield Prince (Ben Osmond, $12).

Noted for good performances on rain-affected going, Two Ya Got backed up from finishing last of 14 on a Soft 5 surface at Muswellbrook on Friday to win the feature sprint on a Heavy 8 track at Wellington.

Taking the lead after turning for home, the Brett Cavanough-trained Two Ya Got (Mikayla Weir , $6) held on to win the $75,000 Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club Town Plate (1100m) from stablemate The Hanger Cat (Donovan Dillon, $4.20 to $3.50 fav) and Stratified (Braith Nock, $4.80).

Despite rain necessitating the postponement of the Wellington Boot meeting from Sunday to Monday, Wellington Race Club committee worked overtime to make the carnival over Friday and Monday (with a party day on Sunday), very successful.

Racing is on Saturday at Tomingley picnics, with Coonabarabran (TAB) and Dubbo (TAB) on Monday.