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By Colin Hodges

Seriously injured earlier this winter when kicked by a horse, Dubbo trainer Connie Greig has bounced back to win the $22,000 Nutrien Walsh Hughes Louth Cup on Saturday with the six-year-old black mare Kalpana.

Kalpana entered the barriers as an $8 chance with most of the 18 bookmakers where the Rodney Robb, Nyngan-trained Notabadidea started the $3 favourite ahead of Ocean Honour ($3.40) which had won the previous two starts at Gatton and Ipswich in Queensland before being transferred to the Brett Robb stable at Dubbo.

Dubbo-based trainer Connie Greig. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Cobar Cup winner Dancing In The Sky, in front of a huge crowd at the famous NSW outback meeting, led down the straight for the first time in the 2000m Cup, with Kalpana settling off the pace in a fast run race.

Rated among the leading jockeys in the country areas, Mikayla Weir was riding at Louth for the first time and she saved Kalpana for a late run.

In an exciting finish, Kalpana reached the lead over the concluding stages to win by less than a length from Ocean Honour (Georgina McDonnell) and Notabadidea ridden by Shayleigh Ingelse.

First leg of a winning treble for Connie Greig and a double for Mikayla Weir was Real Salty in the 1000m Bourke Steel & Hire Class 1 Handicap.

After racing outside the leader, Real Salty ($2.80) scored a hard fought win over Kimo (Ken Dunbar, $3.40) and Savvy Statement ($2.80) ridden by Shayleigh Ingelse.

The other winner for Connie Greig was Individualist ($3.40 favourite) which responded to powerful riding by Andrew Banks to wear down stablemate Chookster (Mikayla Weir, $4.60) and Dhyani (Ken Dunbar, $7) in the 1400m Shindys Inn Class 2 Handicap.

Dubbo-based apprentice Shayleigh Ingelse also had a good day, landing a winning double on Cashmere Inn and D’Arpano.

Leading most of the way, the Stephen Dixon, Tamworth-trained Cashmere Inn ($4.60) was a half length winner of the 1000m Port Of Bourke Hotel Maiden Plate from Kingzan (Andrew Banks, $17) and Power Of Hope (Ken Dunbar, $3.50 fav).

Part-owned by Chris Davis and John De Lyall who play prominent roles with Dubbo Turf Club and trained by Brett Robb, D’Arpano returned to form in the 1200m Arrowfield Stud Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Mr Pointer led by three lengths before D’Arpano ($3.20 fav) swept home from midfield to account for Lenroy (Andrew Banks, $12) and Distinctive Glory (Billy Cray, $4).

Trained at Dubbo by Clint Lundholm for Kathryn & Todd Smith, Oojah Capow ($3), well ridden by Wendy Peel, turned for home with a slender lead and fought on gamely to hold out Penique (Billy Cray, $6) by a half head with the $1.70 favourite Firefinch (Shayleigh Ingelse) fading to third in the 1400m Rice’s Back O’ Bourke Cordials Splashe Cola Maiden Handicap.

Muswellbrook trainer Krissie Simpkins who had earlier placings with Distinctive Glory and Penique, won the final event, the 1700m Sullivans Mining & Industrial and Great Western Hotel Cobar Benchmark 45 Handicap with Chowdah.

Bursting through the pack, Chowdah (Billy Cray, $4.60) arrived in time for a close win over Peak Road (Shayleigh Ingelse, $7) and the Victorian-trained Lord Percy (Jessica Brookes, $5).

Racing is at Wellington (TAB) on Thursday followed by Cobar picnics and Parkes on Saturday.

View the full results with race replays for Louth here