By Mark Brassel
Eight-year-old galloper Madison Point has moved onto the points ladder for the 2023 NSW Picnic Champion Series after winning the Elders Yass Ltd-EJ Merriman Ravensworth Yass Picnic Cup (1350m).
The gelding was a hot $1.70 favourite with Ricky Blewitt aboard and narrowly beat George Two (Leandro Ribeiro, $9) with Namarari (Emily Waters, $6) just under a length away in third place.
Las Vegas Girl (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.40) had to travel nearly three hours from her base at Nowra to claim the other main race at Yass, the Yarra-Waldren Constructions-Yass Valley Solar Trophy (1100m).
The mare ran out a five-length winner from Waldo Waldorf (Kate Petersen, $6.50) with Bella Days (Emily Waters, $2.70) half a neck back in third position.
Dubbo-trained gallopers Cheeky Nugget and Get Up Alby - both prepared by Connie Greig - are currently at the top of the points score with 11 points.
They are followed by another Dubbo horse Honeywine and the Muswellbrook-trained The Enzo on 10 points.
The next meeting of the NSW Picnic Champion Series will be at Tottenham this Saturday (4th March).
PICNIC SERIES POINT SCORE
11 - Cheeky Nugget, Get Up Alby
10 - Honeywine, The Enzo
9 - Equilibrium, Inzaghi, Jackal, Jawsome
8 - Bella Days, Magic Stratagems, Waldo Waldorf
For all the latest info (including Points Table & Honour Roll) on the Series click here - 2023 NSW Picnic Champion Series