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By Mark Brassel

A race lost in time has been resurrected at Forbes in reference to bushranger Ben Hall who was buried at Forbes Cemetery in 1865.

The ‘Amazing Ben Hall Bullet’ will be run at Sunday’s Country Showcase Forbes Cup Day and is a race that had a long association with Forbes Jockey Club.

This is from the founding of the club in 1861 when Hall is known to have frequented Forbes races.

From The Bush and Anthony Cavallo take out last year's Bankstown Sports Club Forbes Cup. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

“The tradition of the Ben Hall Bullet has been lost for almost 40 years and we are passionate about re-establishing the race to generate local interest and to create some nostalgia around our club’s 161-year history,” said FJC’s president, Randal Grayson.

“We did some research and found it in Trove, so we thought we’d bring it back to life – the ‘Amazing’ part is a Forbes tourism tag.

“It was initially a Benchmark 64 race, but we’ve upgraded it to a 74 to attract a better class of horse.

“The Forbes Cup is now one of the 25 qualifying Country Cups for the [$2 million] Big Dance so our thinking is some of the city trainers coming might put another horse on the truck for the Ben Hall.

“The opportunity to host the Big Dance qualifier is a major drawcard for us this year.

“And the upgrade to a Country Showcase meeting and the decision to continue with the shift from a Monday meeting to a Sunday is also another big drawcard.

“This is just the second year we have run under this format, and we are grateful to Racing NSW for allowing us the opportunity to draw a larger local crowd by hosting the meeting on a Sunday."

Ellysa Cunningham, FJC's honorary secretary, said: "We want the town involved; we’ll have good food, good drinks, good company – we also have $2,500 in cash and prizes for the Fashions on the Field.

"We’re also grateful for the support of Forbes Shire Council, they've been very helpful.”

The $50,000 Forbes Cup is sponsored by Bankstown Sports Club, with members finally being allowed back for raceday.

“This is their 27th year, however, it is the 25th occasion members will be on-course,” Grayson explained. "They missed the last couple of years due to COVID but we’re expecting a few hundred attending this year.

“Our club has been hard at work on upgrades including a new watering system, inside running rail, drinks rail at the parade ring, new female jockey change rooms and much more.

“It's also a reunion weekend for Forbes Magpies Rugby League Club, with the Forbes v Parkes match set for Saturday and the races to round out the weekend.

“And not forgetting the Forbes Cup Calcutta Dinner on Saturday night at Club Forbes.”

Grayson said the Forbes course is “in excellent condition”. “The track has had no traffic on it since October last year – even if we get rain, we should be fine.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Scone, Corowa
Tuesday: Taree, Bathurst
Friday: Goulburn, Lismore
Saturday: Inverell
Sunday: Forbes, Muswellbrook