Narrandera Race Club will kick off their 2023 racing season on Saturday when hosting the LW Peacock Memorial race day.
The six-race Sky 2 program will be memorable for another big reason, with the club honouring the late Peter Bloomfield, who passed away in April.
A former jockey and trainer, Bloomfield worked with Peter Clancy, TJ Smith, John ‘Digger’ Carroll, and Les Bridge before moving to the Riverina.
He rode successfully before turning his attention to training in the Southern Districts, with Bloomfield and his family making a name for themselves all over the Riverina.
A much-loved worker and racing character around the Narrandera Race Club, with many years of loyal service as track manager and general handyman, Bloomfield’s passing hit the club and community hard.
His son Shane, who now trains at Narrandera, was delighted to have the Vale Peter Bloomfield Benchmark 50 Handicap (1200 Metres) named in his father’s honour.
“It’s a great tribute to Dad for his hard work for the club,” Bloomfield said.
“It was fantastic to see people rally around the family (after his passing), and it’s nice to see the club honouring him.”
Bloomfield has set three runners for the race, with Retell (Ruby Haylock, gate 10), Kinross (Simon Miller, gate 16), and White Foot (Jordan Mallyon, Gate 4) all carrying the family’s hopes of a local win in the race.
“I targeted the race, and it would be very special to win,” Bloomfield said.
“I thought Kinross was my best chance, but she has drawn barrier 16, but she is still a chance, and the other two have a hope.”
The Narrandera trainer has six in action on the day – the most he has ever started at one meeting – and he looks to have a live chance in the LW Peacock Memorial Benchmark 50 Handicap (1400 Metres), with Delivered (Brett Fliedner, gate 4) the stable’s best bet, while Roman Nero (Teighan Worsnop, gate 1) is the first emergency.
According to Bloomfield, Delivered is one of the stable’s best chances on the day.
“Being back at Narrandera should suit him (Delivered), and it’s a better race than the other races he’s been contesting, so we are hoping he can put his best foot forward.,” Bloomfield said.
“He finished a good second at Narrandera over 1200m last time he raced here, and being back at home and without having to travel, he might just run a nice race.”
A recent addition to the stable, Kohinoor Lustre (Josh Richards, Gate 8) is the Narrandera trainer’s other runner, with the five-year-old contesting the Narrandera Exies Club & Auswild And Broad Accountants Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1600 Metres).
“Going back at the picnic meeting at Leeton, she ran a nice race for second, and she’s up against Sonattack again, but he’s got a bit more weight than us this time,” Bloomfield said.
“She was a bit outclassed at Wagga last start, but I’ll be happy with her if she can run up to that Leeton form.”
Despite recent rain, Bloomfield, who manages the track with Tony Patterson, believes it will be good racing at Narrandera on Saturday,
“It’s looking good, actually. We’ve had no more rain, and I think it will get back to a soft five by Saturday.” Bloomfield said.
Saturday’s meeting signals an exciting little period for Narrandera Race Club, who host their Narrandera Cup Showcase meeting and Big Dance qualifier on Sunday, July 16, before their TC Lee community race day on Saturday. August 19.
The club will be running a Narrandera Cup calcutta for the first time in a long time on the Friday night before their Narrandera Cup meeting, and Bloomfield believes the town is starting to get right behind the club and their upcoming racing season.
“The more it ramps up, the more people will get excited about it,” Bloomfield said.
“The club is talking about a calcutta for the Big Dance (qualifier), and the closer the day gets, the more people will talk about it, and hopefully, it’s a big day.”
For the moment, Bloomfield and Narrandera Race Club will focus their attention on Saturday’s program.
The meeting has been well-supported, with 86 acceptances on the program.
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