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By Colin Hodges

Due to a large number of picnic and non-TAB race meetings abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic, Forbes Jockey Club has accepted a proposal from Racing NSW to hold a picnic meeting on Saturday (18th April).

There'll be picnic racing action at Forbes on Saturday. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Strict protocols are in place with attendance limited to essential staff and trainers and riders directly involved with the meeting.

With no gate takings, sponsorship or TAB coverage there is no financial benefit to Forbes Jockey Club, however, Racing NSW will cover basic expenses and owners, trainers and jockeys will get the opportunity to have some income during this difficult time.

As the $50,000 NSW Picnic Champion Series Final is scheduled for Dubbo in September, runners at Forbes can accumulate points to help qualify for the Championships Final.

Among the 10 acceptors for the 1400m Picnic Trophy race at Forbes are the Bedgerabong Picnic Cup winner Hokkaido from the Sharon Jeffries stable at Parkes, and the Condobolin Picnic Cup winner Waldo Waldorf trained at Canberra by Darryl Rolfe.

Representing the Rodney Robb stable from Nyngan is the 2018 NSW Picnic Champion Series Final winner Austin, while local hopes rest with the Wendy Baker, Forbes-trained Getting Ready, a qualifier for the 2019 NSW Picnic Champion Series Final won by Gadfly.