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By Mark Brassel

Garah is a tiny village with just 300 occupants that sits around 40km south of the Queensland border but will swell considerably on Saturday.

Thousands of racegoers head to Garah’s racetrack each year by the car and busload for Talmoi picnic races which is popular with families for a picnic lunch and a great day of country racing.

Saturday's a big day at Garah for Talmoi picnic races

Talmoi Amateur Picnic Race Club’s secretary, Sophie O’Neill said the race meeting is always a huge social event.

“We’re a small community and our main goal is to put on a successful raceday that brings people to our local community so they can experience our little town,” Sophie said.

“We are optimistic that people will spend some money while in Garah and help our economy.

“Our community gets involved with the local Garah Primary School P&C and Garah/Boomi Pre-School cooking throughout the day.

“We try to keep things local so we can get as much money as possible going back to our area.

“We wouldn’t be able to make the raceday possible without the generous support of our sponsors, so we would like to thank each and every one of them.”

O’Neill added that the race club has a vast array of functions and entertainment lined up on raceday.

“There is a President’s Luncheon with food by Relish Catering with tickets available for pre-purchase.

“And there is a Fashions on the Field along with face painting, a jumping castle and a sandpit for the kids. It all makes it a great family day out.

“There is a big screen to watch the races, a bar and live entertainment while picnic hampers are welcomed.

“Entry tickets are available for purchase at the gate or online and we will now have an Eftpos machine but no ATM.”

In 2011, the train trip from Moree to Garah was re-enacted when the club celebrated 100 years of picnic racing at Garah.

Later that year Talmoi won Community Race Club of the Year at the Racing NSW Country & Provincial Racing Awards for the innovative centenary meeting that attracted 4000 patrons.

Collarenebri galloper Ringside was successful in last year’s Talmoi Picnic Cup defeating Thundozer by just over a length.

Meanwhile, Murwillumbah race on Sunday with their Club Tweed Ladies Day featuring the Grafton Cup Preview.

The day is proudly sponsored by Club Tweed, Take It Ezy Meat Co, Wright Machinery, Northern Rivers Property Group, Southern Autos Repaint & Panel, Viva Racing Syndications and Tooheys.

Scone Race Club will also stage a seven-race program on Sunday with the white-hot Ciaron Maher stable posting two early nominations with Kiribati (Benchmark 66 Handicap, 1000m) and Altercation (Maiden Plate, 1100m).

The latter is an American Pharoah filly having just her second start, not having raced since finishing fourth at Newcastle last December.

The three-year-old trialled nicely when runner-up at Warwick Farm in her 809m heat behind Kilbady.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Wagga, Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Lismore
Friday: Goulburn, Tamworth
Saturday: Queanbeyan, Talmoi picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Scone, Murwillumbah