VIDEO – img_3318 Sergeant Bilko’s track gallop.
From Rodeo to Race Track: Robert ‘Bomp’ Leitner has recently taken out his trainer’s licence and will have his first runner at the Harden Picnic Races on Saturday. Robert and ‘The Conqueror’ were pictured at the Harden Race Course on Friday last week. The Conqueror is an 8 year old Brown gelding by Domesday out of Gypsy Battalia. With prizemoney of over $120,000 and a great record of 52- 9:6:4 he has been given the top weight of 66.5 kilograms in the Harden Picnic Cup over 1400 metres.
Robert Leitner leading The Conquerer to the track for a gallop with Ricky Blewitt in the saddle.
Jacky Whybrow looks on with Watta General, Sergeant Bilko and The Conquerer.
The finish line winning post waiting for the sponsorship signs to be added.
Ricky Blewitt hits the line at pace in a practice gallop.
The Harden Picnic Races may produce one of the largest crowds in recent memory when racegoers descend on the Harden Racecourse for the 36th running on Saturday. Long term racing fan Marj Whybrow said “It looks like Randwick” whilst well known jockey Ricky Blewitt said “It’s perfect, I’ve never seen it look so good.” Numerous meetings have been called off in the region due to heavy rain and tracks under water over the last few months. Cootamundra has been moved to December and Young held sheep races. Harden is in tip top condition with the hard working committee spending hours cleaning, mowing and gardening whilst also organising tents, alcohol, tickets and advertising. Club President Nathan Schofield was on the lawn mower late Friday afternoon bringing the running surface down to a lower level. He may have to do it again, such is the qulaity of the grass and the recent rain. Harden had some rain fall Sunday night and in to the early hours of Monday morning. Stewards visited the track on Wednesday and assessed its condition.
President Nathan Schofield with the Harden Picnic Cup on Tuesday.
The verdict was “it has been a presented in immaculate condition and is rated a soft 6 which is perfect for racing.” President Nathan Schofield said “The track is a credit to the whole committee and a string of volunteers. I would like to thank Kevin Hill and the council staff for their assistance.” “If the racecourse gets a little more rain on Friday it won’t affect the track too much” said Nathan “It may be downgraded to a softer rating but everything looks good to go.” 18 tents as well as 7 or 8 gazebos have been booked. 55 horses have been weighted for the meeting with a strong local flavour for this year’s meeting. Former Harden trainers Chris Heywood and Scott Spackman who are now based in Wagga will have 4 runners and 1 runner respectively on the day. Harden trainer Mark Cummins will have 2 runners whilst Robert Leitner will have the top weight in the cup. A local connection win in the cup is on the cards with all 4 men lining up against each other with their charges over the feature 1400 metre event. Hard Go Jo owned by Robert Manwaring is coming off a nice second over 2000 metres at Wagga on October 15. Ketchum will carry 6 kilos more than the next heaviest weight in the Trophy Handicap and 10 kilos more than the rest of the field if he lines up over 1100 metres. For Leitner it will be his first foray in to thouroghbred race training after a distinguished career on the rodeo circuit which saw him particpate for over over 30 years, excelling in bareback and steer wrestling.
For a list of all the runners go to http://racing.racingnsw.com.au/FreeFields/Weights.aspx?Key=2016Oct22,NSW,Harden,Picnic
Fashions on The Field
Harden Picnic Race club are pleased to announce that Julieanne Horseman has generously accepted the happy task of judging our fashions on the field at the upcoming picnic races Saturday, 22nd October 2016. Julieanne is the Director of Young Professionals in Racing, a group which aims to connect like-minded thoroughbred racing enthusiasts and encourage newcomers to the sport. She has been passionate about horse racing from a young age and currently has shares in several horses including Bank On Henry who represented the South East Racing Association in the Country Championships Grand Final at Royal Randwick. Julieanne was a reporter for Win Television between 2010 and 2013 and covered many stories in Harden, including the picnic races. She was the face of the Wagga Gold Cup in 2012. “Horse racing is a great sport because everyone can get involved. I could go to the races with my friends, colleagues or even my parents and we would all enjoy a day out. I love planning my outfit and getting a hat made by one of the many talented milliners in the Riverina and South West Slopes.” This year a registration for Fashions on the Field will be required. The registrations will be open from 12.30pm and close at 2pm. We encourage everyone to Please come along and enter! We have some wonderful prizes from our generous sponsors.
Fiona Joins Fashions
Local Racing Identity, Fiona Middleton will join Julieanne Horsman to judge 2016 Fashion on the Field. Fiona, along with her husband Jamie has been involved in the racing industry for over 3 decades and had a long and valued association with the Harden Picnics. At their property Redbank North have trained, raced, raised, spelled and provided agistment for racehorses over many years assisted by their daughters, Dimity and Katrina. The club is very pleased to have Fiona as a judge for fashions of the field at Saturday’s race meeting. 2015 races saw 192 registrations for fashions on the field competing for over $2000 in donated prize value. Registrations are required for this year’s Fashions on the Field and will be open at 12.30pm until 2pm. Sections include Junior Racegoer, up to 12years. Teenage Racegoer, 13 to 17 years, Best Dressed Couple, Best Hat or Fascinator and Best Dressed Lady and Gent. Junior and Teenage judging will take place at approximately 2.30pm; Hat or fascinator and Best Dressed Couple at 3pm and Senior fashions at 3.40pm.
Goodluck to all of the owners and trainers on Saturday, it will be a great day.
