THE big wet might finally be over in the north of the state as the northern Summer Circuit is about to continue at Inverell on Saturday, November 12.
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The spacious Inverell track will be the venue for one of the Summer Stars Bonus days sponsored again by the legendary Picone bookmaking family.
Inverell Jockey Club’s Mike Witherdin said the popular Picone Summer Stars series has already had bonus days at Moree and Inverell.
“Thanks to Phillip, Terry and Chris Picone a bonus of $500 is paid to each leading trainer, jockey and horse over the meetings conducted by Inverell, Moree, Glen Innes, Deepwater and Bingara,” Witherdin explained.
Terry Picone is delighted to be back supporting the trainers, jockeys, owners and small clubs.
“It’s just a little bit for the trainers and jockey and to support the smaller clubs over the Summer. It’s great to support the small and one-day- a-year clubs like Bingara and Deepwater. They are great days, the real lifeblood of the sport and are a bit like racing used to be,” Picone said.
Witherdin said the Picone Summer Stars Bonus Series Series heats up at Inverell for their Party Day meeting next Saturday (November 12) and includes TAB days as well as the smaller non-TAB community meetings on a progressive point-score system.
“Last year Darren Jones fought off the challenge of Jodi Worley for the jockey’s money,” Witherdin said.
“Sue Bigg, who finished third last year as a jockey, will be now will be trying to win the trainer’s after again returning to the training ranks.
“Sue Grills was rewarded for her support of the smaller meetings to win last year’s trainers award defeating a fast finishing Paddy Cunningham after Paddy relocated his full team to Glen Innes.
“In the horse award it was like the finish of a Hotham Handicap when there was triple dead heat between Border Flight, Real Blonde and Carry Me Gee Gee.
“Real Blonde is already on top of this year’s leader board with an exciting win at Inverell and a placing at Moree in the first two meetings in the series.”
Nominations for Inverell’s November 12 meeting close 11am this Monday (November 7).
The racing attention is this weekend on Armidale, where the AJC will hold its Hoteliers Spring Cup on Sunday.
The seven-race program will get underway at 1.45pm with the running of the Armidale Hoteliers CG&E Maiden Handicap (1400m) and finish with the Armidale Hoteliers Benchmark Handicap (1400m) at 5.20pm.
Sue Grills, George Woodward and Jane Clement will all field four runners, with Clement starting both Ally Ole and Private Valentine in the Whitebull Hotel Maiden Plate (1100m). Paul Grills, Leon Davies, Ross Stitt, Greg Bennett and Geoff O’Brien follow with three.
