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By Mark Brassel

NSW approved riders come from all walks of life and this Sunday they finally have the opportunity to showcase their wares at Coonabarabran.

Once a year the riders compete in the NSW Picnic Champions Series Final (1400m) for prizemoney of $50,000 which is the only time each year they have a race televised around the country and beyond on Sky Racing.

Notabadidea (Clayton Gallagher) wins last year's Coonabarabran Bowling Club Coonabarabran Showcase Cup. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

However, the race was postponed from Coonamble on October 9 when the meeting was washed out and transferred to next weekend’s Coonabarabran program.

These jockeys ride at non-TAB picnic race meetings and to make ends meet, they usually have work commitments outside of racing.

“Approved riders are quite different to professional riders in that they work during the week and ride on weekends at the picnic meetings,” explained Racing NSW Country’s executive officer, Brian Charman.

Coonabarabran Jockey Club’s secretary/manager, Lindsay Hawkins said the Club is expecting a sizeable crowd to Coonabarabran Cup Day, with the major sponsor Coonabarabran Bowling Club.

“Our Club is excited to be hosting the Picnic Champions Series Final on our Cup Day race card,” said Lindsay. “We also have a Fashions on the Field and a champagne bar.

“We’re expecting a huge crowd this year with a return to more normal conditions post-COVID.”

The Racing NSW Country Showcase program carries $365,000 in prizemoney with the feature event the $75,000 Coonabarabran Bowling Club Coonabarabran Showcase Cup (1600m).

Last year’s Cup was won by Notabadidea trained by Clint Lundholm and ridden by Clayton Gallagher. The horse then went on to take out the Gilgandra Cup.

“The weekend kicks off next Saturday with yabby races and a welcome BBQ at Coonabarabran Bowling Club, before a Cup Calcutta on Saturday evening.”

The NSW Picnic Champions Series Final is now into its sixth year with Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb claiming the major prize in the first two runnings in 2017 (Security Code) and 2018 (Austin).

Robb’s son Brett won last year’s Final with On a Promise partnered by Brent Evans.

The idea of the NSW Picnic Champion Series was hatched by Deidre Adam, secretary of the NSW Picnic Racing Association, and Craig Tyack, president of Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club.

On Friday, Scone Race Club hosts a Country Showcase meeting with $245,000 in prizemoney and the highlight the $35,000 Arrowfield Country Boosted Class 2 Showcase Handicap (1100m).

Other raceday sponsors include Widden and Vinery Studs and Muswellbrook Ford.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Grafton, Orange
Friday: Scone
Saturday: Albury, Armidale, Mudgee (non-TAB), Casino (non-TAB), Balranald (non-TAB), Harden picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonabarabran, Port Macquarie