Image – Racing Photography.
Following a false start in 2022, the Western Racing Association‘s (WRA) Picnic Jockey’s Premiership has proven successful on many fronts in 2023.
An incredible 17 jockeys participated in the series, which is an increase in recent seasons, leading to good fields and more confidence that regional picnic clubs can rely on the attendance of amateur jockeys from all over the state.
Sydney-based hoop and 2022/23 NSW Picnic Jockey Premiership winner Leandro Ribeiro was a clear victor on 122 points, and he picked up $1250 for his efforts, while in second on 76 points and earning $1000 was newcomer Grady Spokes.
Despite missing the first two meetings at Tottenham and Bourke, Zara Lewis hit the line hard, riding well at Coonamble, Duck Creek, Macquarie, and the two meetings at Cobar to finish third on 74 points.
Round out the top-ten prize winners were Ricky Blewitt (68), Breanna Bourke (52), Sebastian Galea (44), Tamsin Gough (36), Michael Gray (27), Sally Faulks (20), and Emily Harrison (15).
Ribeiro, who has been a revelation since joining the picnic circuit – enjoying success with the strong Connie Greig yard – believes introducing the WRA Picnic Jockey’s Premiership has resulted in more amateur hoops making the long trips into Western NSW.
“It’s been excellent, and it is definitely motivating other riders to go out there to the Western regions,” Ribeiro said.
“It was a shame about last year, with the rain cancelling many meetings, but it was good this year, and we got through most of them.
“We are seeing many jockeys at the picnics, and most of them want to travel, and when we received our prize money at Coonamble, everyone was really happy with it.”
WRA representative and Premiership Coordinator Andrew Schier was thrilled with the success of the WRA Picnic Jockey’s Premiership
“Overall, we’re quite happy with 17 riders competing across the WRA premiership,” Schier said.
“That is what we intended with the premiership; it was all about jockey availability and encouraging jockeys to head to some of those meetings that they might not usually attend.
“The way we see it, the more jockeys, the more horses being able to start, and the better the meeting, and the better that is for participants and racegoers.”
While it wasn’t official at the time of going to press, Schier is hopeful that the WRA Picnic Jockey’s Premiership will go ahead again in 2024, and he expects more clubs from other racing jurisdictions to get involved.
“We will leave the door ajar for some clubs on the fringe of the WRA to join the premiership,” Schier said.
“We hope they will look at this year’s success with the WRA premiership, and they might want to be involved next year.
“That way, we can increase the overall prizemoney and make it a more attractive option for jockeys.
“At the end of the day, anything that boosts participation is a good thing.”
The NSW picnic racing scene slows down, with the next meeting at Bong Bong on Friday, November 24.
After that, the next meeting is Bedgerabong on Saturday, February 10, and that meeting kicks off an exciting run of races at Condobolin (February 17), Yass (February 24), Tottenham (March 2), Crookwell (March 9), Ardlethan (March 16), Tullibigeal (March 23), Bourke (March 31), Cootamundra (April 6), Grenfell (April 13), Tomingley (April 27), Boorowa (May 4), and Quambone (May 11), Moree (May 25), Mallawa (June 8), Talmoi (June 22).
