Latest News

By Colin Hodges

Ridden by Leandro Ribeiro and trained at Dubbo by Connie Greig, the five-year-old chestnut mare Laisvas completed a feature race double before a big crowd at Condobolin.

The previous week Laisvas had won the Bedgerabong Picnic Cup and it was another runaway win on Saturday in the 1400 metres Inland Petroleum Condobolin Picnic Cup.

Yarraville led the Cup field from Dancing In The Sky with Laisvas attacking on the outside as the field rounded the home turn.

Laisvas (Leandro Ribeiro, 1.80 to $1.60 favourite) then surged away to win by over five lengths from Dancing In The Sky (Kate Petersen, $12) and Valadyium (Todd Bailey, $8).

The now Goulburn based Kate Petersen who rode Dancing In The Sky for Cobar trainer Wayne Prisk, is formerly from Washington State USA while the fourth placegetter Cape Zoro (Paul Zerafa, $5) is trained at Brighton in Tasmania by Dr John Heath.

Currently relocating to Euroa in Victoria, Dr John Heath apart from being a highly qualified medical practitioner is also a professor and veterinary surgeon.

Earlier in February this year, Cape Zoro had raced at TAB meetings at Launceston and Hobart in Tasmanian and last week finished third at Holbrook in New South Wales.

Regal Lady, a stablemate of Cape Zoro, finished third for Dr Heath in the 1000 metres Maiden Plate at Condobolin when ridden by Emily Waters.

Connie Greig has now won the last three Condobolin Picnic Cups, with Valadyium (Brent Evans), Linden Tree (Leandro Ribeiro) and Laisvas (Leandro Ribeiro) while she led in 4 winners on Saturday, Rebel Love (Todd Bailey, $5), Pahang (Leandro Ribeiro, $1.90 fav.), Laisvas (Leandro Ribeiro, $1.60 fav.) and Allande (Leandro Ribeiro, $1.80 fav.).

Todd Bailey, who has moved from Tamworth to Taree to ride trackwork for trainer Wayne Wilkes, made the long trip from the mid north coast to the central west for a winning double at Condobolin on Via Amorosa and Rebel Love.

Trained at Scone by Nikki Pollock, Via Amorosa (Todd Bailey, $8) entered the straight with a slender lead and lasted to beat stablemate Shades Of Truth (Arthur Pollock, $4) by a long head with Regal Lady (Emily Waters, $6) finishing third in the 1000 metres Vella Stock Feeds Maiden Plate.

Her son Arthur Pollock was aboard Joanneski, the second leg of a double for Nikki Pollock, in the 1000 metres KMWL- Ross Berry & Rob Staniforth Memorial Trophy Handicap.

Joanneski ($1.90 favourite) led throughout to win by over 3 lengths from Blackhill Kitty (Todd Bailey, $5) and Billy Bent Ear (Leandro Ribeiro, $3).

Racing at Orange on Friday ($150,000 CDRA Country Championships), Yass Picnics on Saturday, Warren on Saturday ($500 jockeys challenge) and Bathurst on Monday (wear your footy jersey day).

Racing NSW - your home of live racing, form, tips and the latest news.