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By Colin Hodges

So impressed was Queensland trainer Benno Bowen with his first visit in 2023, he intends again making the 1400km round trip from Cunnamulla with five starters for the picnic meeting on Saturday at Bedgerabong.

Speaking to club officials earlier this week, Bowen said the hospitality at his previous visit was tremendous and he had been amazed by the presentation of the turf track and racecourse which is widely recognised as one of the most scenic in New South Wales.

Tupou (Ricky Blewitt) after winning last year's Bedgerabong Picnic Cup. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Prior to a two months break, the Bowen team had raced at Moree and in Queensland at Thangool, Charleville and Roma.

Nominated for Bedgerabong are Glide On By, Karakaroo, The White Mouse, Goldie’s Power and Flying To Mars.

Meanwhile, Dubbo-based Connie Greig will continue her quest for yet another NSW Picnic Trainers' Premiership with a big team nominated including Laisvas in the 1400m Bedgerabong Picnic Cup and Billy Bent Ear in the feature sprint, the 800m Clearview Bracelet Handicap.

Billy Bent Ear, boasts a sizeable fan club but under the Rules Of Racing will have to retire when turning 13 years of age on the 1st of August 2025.

During a wonderful career, Billy Bent Ear has recorded 19 wins and 44 placings from 159 starts and earned $281,075 prizemoney.

Brazilian jockey Leandro Ribeiro, now based in Muswellbrook, is a multiple winner of the NSW Picnic Riders' Premiership and is likely to ride most of the Connie Greig-trained runners.

Other notable gallopers amongs the 65 nominations for Bedgerabong include the Rodney Robb, Nyngan-trained All Words, winner of the Betoota Cup in Queensland before a long spell and the Daniel Stanley, Wellington-trained Bush Warrior, winner last season of the $50,000 NSW Picnic Champions Series Final held at Coonamble.

Final Acceptances are due to be declared at 9am on Thursday 13th February.

NOTE: Tickets for Bedgerabong need to be purchased online in advance of the meeting, with a cut off point of about 1,800 - 123tix.com.au/bedgerabong picnics

View the race details for Bedgerabong here