By Mark Brassel
Quirindi trainer Geoff O'Brien made an eight-hour round trip rewarding when his galloper Rena's Lad (Michael Gray, $6) captured the B&W Rural WC&R Hunter Memorial Talmoi Picnic Cup (1400m) - the final leg of bush racing’s Golden Triangle circuit.
Rena's Lad was previously runner-up to Track Flash in the Mallawa Picnic Cup (1400m) on June 9 but turned the tables on that gelding at Talmoi with an easy four-length victory.
Deceitful Don (Wesley Boyd, $7) finished second, just under a length in advance of Track Flash (Ricky Blewitt, $1.60 favourite).
Victory Lass (Ashley Boyd) - won the final race at Talmoi last weekend. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)
For his effort, Rena's Lad picked up 10 points in the 2018 NSW Picnic Champion Series elevating him to 19 points, with Diamond Charlie still leading the Series on 34 points, just two points in front of Butterfly Sky and Track Flash.
The Kylie Kennedy-trained Zaphod is next with 30 points.
Victory Lass (Ashley Boyd, $4.40) scored her first points in the Series, gaining seven points with her game win in the Chesterfield John Deere-Helen Boland Memorial Bracelet (1000m).
The mare beat Not in the Nick (Katie Spalding, $2.60) by a long neck and in a thrilling finish, I Am Dynamic (Ricky Blewitt, $2.30 fav) was third a long head away.
Ashley Boyd was the most successful jockey on the day riding half the program with wins aboard Yes Oui Si ($2.50), Newcastle Dancer ($4.40) along with Victory Lass in the final event.
For all the latest information (news, leader board, race dates & honour roll) please click here - 2018 NSW Picnic Champion Series