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By Colin Hodges

Trained at Forbes by Peter Kirby, the six-year-old gelding East Harlem held off Queensland galloper Silver Agent in an exciting finish on Saturday to win the 1400m Total Wear Solutions Australia-Bedgerabong Picnic Cup.

On a magnificent turf track and racing in front of a huge crowd at the beautiful Bedgerabong track west of Forbes, East Harlem shared the early lead with Lockadente until Silver Agent moved to a challenging position approaching the home turn.

Well ridden by Bessie Dimery, East Harlem ($3.40) responded to the call from the young rider and won by a half-length from the Benno Bowen, Cunnamulla-trained Silver Agent (Paul Zerafa, $3.60) with Ready For Lift Off (Ricky Blewitt, $2.60 favourite) making up ground for third.

East Harlem (Bessie Dimery) prevails in Saturday's Bedgerabong Picnic Cup. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Bessie Dimery, a former junior champion eventing rider, rode her first race winner at Boorowa last May and East Harlem became her third winner from a limited number of rides.

Numerous mounting yard observers commented on the excellent presentation of East Harlem by Peter Kirby and the gelding raced right up to the good looks.

Connie Greig and Leandro Ribeiro, the premier trainer and jockey respectively on the picnic circuit, combined to win the feature sprint the 800m Daniel Ball Transport-Clearview Bracelet Handicap with Callie Cool.

Midfield to the turn, Callie Cool ($6) burst through the pack to win clearly from Rubicon River (Zara Lewis, $3.20) and the leader Mr Pointer (Tamsin Gough, $6).

Dubbo-based Connie Greig and Leandro Ribeiro had earlier won the 1100m C & M Civil Earthworks Class 3 Trophy Handicap with Wotastatement.

A last start Gilgandra TAB winner at $71, Wotastatement was the $1.70 favourite at Bedgerabong and led all the way for a two-length win from stablemate Allande (Amber Collins, $3.40) and Geewiz Johnny (Tamsin Gough, $16).

Amber Collins who works for Connie Greig was having her first race ride and gave Allande every chance.

Eugowra-based Bill Hayes who trains his horses at Forbes, won the 800m Terry Bros Carpet Court Class B Handicap with Mihrimah, a recent addition to his stable.

Second turning for home, Mihrimah (Ashley Boyd, $4) edged to the front and won by a half-head from Kuroshinzo (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.20) with a short half-head to the speedy Swedish Glitter ($1.70 fav) ridden by Ricky Blewitt.

First leg of a double for the experienced Ashley Boyd was aboard the Sharon Jeffries, Parkes-trained Rebel Flyer in the 1100m Robyn Harrison Memorial Maiden Plate.

Third passing the midway point, Rebel Flyer ($4) reached the lead at the top of the straight and in a three-way photo finish won from the fast finishing Mary Le Bone (Michael Gray, $4.60) and Kneel Down (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.50 fav).

Narromine trainer Kylie Kennedy supplied the quinella in the final event, the 1400m Dunk Insurance Class 1 Trophy Handicap, when Himeros (Eloise Drews, $4.20 to $3.60) led throughout to beat The Drafter (Ricky Blewitt, $3.50) and Different Road (Michael Gray, $8).

Attention on the picnic circuit now turns to Condobolin on Saturday where a big crowd is expected while also on Saturday, Mudgee hosts the $150,000 Evergreen Turf (Central Districts) Country Championship (1400m).

And the next chance to earn points for the NSW Picnic Champion Series will also be at CONDOBOLIN PICNICS.

For all the latest info (including full Points Table & Honour Roll) on the Series click here - 2025/26 NSW Picnic Champion Series

View the full results for Bedgerabong here