Andrew Banks might be based in Sydney these days, but the Gulargambone product knows what it takes to win a race at Walgett.
While the club only races once a year, Banks is a regular at the meeting, and he’s proven to be one of the more prolific winners at the Western Racing Association racecourse, winning the Walgett Cup since 2019.
Banks most recently took out the feature in 2021, winning on the Garry Bignell-trained Another Plan.
Before that, he won the Walgett Cup in 2019, guiding the Garry Lunn-trained, $21 outsider Pyramid Prince to a big win.
“I’ve won a few Walgett Cups over the years,” Banks said.
“I always try and get out there.”
Walgett races again on Saturday, and Banks has a complete book of rides.
He jumps aboard Snow Missile (Karen Lunn, gate 1) in the 900m Maiden Plate, Leviticon (Nat Pearce, gate 2) in the 900m Benchmark 50 Handicap, Outback Cod (Greg O’Neill, gate 1) in the 1300m Class One Handicap, Our City (Michael Lunn, gate 1) in the 1400m Maiden Handicap, Chesty (Joseph Hodgson, gate 3) in the Walgett Cup (1400m), and Sun Master (Allan Prisk, gate 9) in the 1600m Benchmark 50 Handicap.
“I like my rides in the first couple of races; the maiden (Snow Missile) and Leviticon,” Banks said.
Leviticon is one of, if not Bank’s best ride, with the Dubbo galloper fresh off back-to-back wins.
The six-year-old, trained by Nat Pearce, arrived in his new stable with 19 starts for one win and one placing.
In two starts for Pearce, he won a 950m Class B Handicap at Moree Picnics on May 27 before a victory in the 1000m Class One Handicap at Parkes on Saturday, June 10.
Snow Missile arrives with form after finishing third at Cobar last month, and he will be well placed in a small maiden field at Walgett.
Banks will take full advantage of his trip west, and he also rides at Coonamble on Sunday at the annual Coonamble Cannonball program.
For Walgett fields, click here.
For Coonamble fields, click here.
NSW Country and Picnic Racing’s Walgett tips
Race 1 – 4 – Cheerful Union
Race 2 – 2 – Hurt Court
Race 3 – 1 – Bear’s Best
Race 4 – 4 – Our City
Race 5 – 3 – Hardyo
Race 6 – 5 – Frau Holle
Tim Moses’ Walgett tips
Race 1 – 3-1-2
Race 2 – 1-3-4
Race 3 – 3-6-1
Race 4 – 5-1-4
Race 5 – 5-3-4
Race 6 – 3-5-1
