Latest News

By Colin Hodges

The most intriguing horse to race at the Forbes Jockey Club meeting on Saturday is La La Loopsy from the Bryan T. Dixon stable at Gilgandra.

In a remarkable occurrence, the now 10-year-old mare La La Loopsy ran third at Warren on Saturday September 18, two days before her foal the three-year-old gelding Bieber Fever at the second start in a race finished unplaced in a Maiden Handicap at Orange for Bathurst trainer Wanda Ings.

Foaled in September 2011, La La Loopsy (by Raheeb from Nomen), owned by Joe Curran from Canowindra, commenced racing in 2016 and won twice during a short time with Warwick Farm trainer Leanne Aspros.

Sent to Dubbo trainer Peter Nestor to be set for the rich Country Championships, La La Loopsy had 3 starts for 2 wins and then as a favourite for the Central West Championships Qualifier at Dubbo finished second to the James Hatch, Bourke trained Stoneyrise.

During a two-year break from the racetrack La La Loopsy produced the foal Bieber Fever (by Bon Hoffa) and in June 2019 returned to be trained by the owner Joe Curran and won the Gosford Picnic Cup.

Next stop was Gilgandra in 2020 and trained by Bryan Dixon, La La Loopsy (Reece Jones) won the Collie Cup at Gilgandra and finished second in the $40,000 Moree Cup when ridden by Casey Waddell. Bryan Dixon in June 2021 transferred La La Loopsy to his son Bryan T. Dixon who is now also a trainer at Gilgandra after moving from Queensland.

The third placing in a big field at Warren indicated La La Loopsy still retains a zest for racing while her foal Bieber Fever will have benefited from the experience of the two recent races.

At Forbes, La La Loopsy is the topweight in a field of 12 for the 1100 metres CanAssist Benchmark 50 Handicap and will be ridden by Marina Morel formerly from France and now apprenticed to Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson.

Due to the pandemic only essential personnel will be allowed on course and despite the restrictions, owners and trainers have demonstrated their appreciation for Forbes going ahead with the meeting by declaring 91 final acceptors and as a result, the original 6 races have been extended to 7 following a Division.

The meeting is not covered by the TAB or on-course bookmakers, however, Central West bookmaker Mark Johnston will be operating on the Forbes meeting online through - southerncrossBET. First race Forbes is at midday.