AS an amateur jockey, Tim Moses won the Boolooroo Cup four times.

This year, he dearly wants to win the race as an owner.

There’s one glitch to the Inverell grazier’s best-laid plans, however. His Moree cousins, Gig and Henry Moses, also have a runner in the time-honoured race.

“We’re going to clash, and that will be a great thrill,” Tim said.

“One of the best things about picnic racing is that beating a close friend often gives you great enjoyment,” he winked.

Tim won the race on Dandy Secret (1978), Aerobus (1989), Roughly Roman (1990) and Sahara Bounty (1993). Surprisingly, as an owner, he’s never had a runner in the race.

Gig Moses has twice held the Boolooroo Cup aloft, and both times with the same horse.

As part of the Our Next New Horse Syndicate, Gig owned Fiocchi, back-to-back winner in 2022 and 2023.

This year, the cousins face off for the coveted piece of silverware.

Gig part-owns former Victorian Shut Eye and Tim’s yellow and white colours will be carried by last-start winner, Stillwell.

Shut Eye, a winner in Queensland two starts back, will be ridden by Ricky Blewitt.

Stillwell, a winner at Glen Innes two weeks ago, has Ashley Boyd on board.

In Gig’s corner is 15 other owners and a jockey who’s stuck with the syndicate through thick and thin.

In the opposite corner is her cousin Tim, who hasn’t clutched the Boolooroo Cup since steering home Sahara Bounty 32 years ago.

Unfortunately, because of medical appointments in Sydney, Tim won’t be at Moree on Saturday to cheer home Stillwell.

“I won’t be there; it’s really annoying, but these things happen and my appointment can’t be changed,” he said.

“It’s really irritating me, but I’ll be tuned in. If Stillwell beats Shut Eye, I would give anything to be standing as close as possible to Henry Moses. I couldn’t do it to Gig, but I could remind Henry with ease about beating him,” he laughed.

Tim and Henry belong to racing royalty.

Their great-grandfather, Fred, owned 1920 Melbourne Cup winner, Poitrel, one of many champions he and brother Henry bred and raced in the early 20th century.

The Moses brothers stood Poitrel’s sire, St Alwyne, at Combadello, west of Moree and also established Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley, where more champions were born.

They bred Poseidon, a winner of 19 races including the 1906 Caulfield Cup-VRC Derby-Melbourne Cup treble.

Poseidon returned in 1907 to win the Caulfield Cup as well as the AJC Spring Stakes, VRC Melbourne Stakes, Rawson Stakes, AJC Cumberland Stakes and AJC Plate.

Shut Eye and Stillwell are both trained at Inverell by Wayne Oakenfull, and both horses are in the race up to their head collars.

Shut Eye has been walloped with 72.5kg and Stillwell will carry 1kg less.

Oakenfull, who trained 2008 Boolooroo Cup winner Interjo with Ashley Boyd up, is non-committal.

The Yarraman old-boy diplomatically says he can’t split the stablemates.

“Both horses are going very well, and their chances come down to how dry the track will be,” Oakenfull said.

More than 50mm fell on the course proper late last week. However, there’s been plenty of sunshine and drying weather this week. Oakenfull hopes for a Good 4 rating, with the likelihood of a Soft 5 on race-day.

“Shut Eye won’t be as good if the track’s a bit wet. Stillwell isn’t a great swimmer, either, but I’d put him ahead of Shut Eye on a soft track – the firmer the better for Shut Eye,” Oakenfull said.

“They are very similar ability-wise. Shut Eye was very good at Glen Innes (sixth) and so was Stillwell.

“I think Stillwell will get further back in running than Shut Eye, who has a lot more gate speed.

“Really, it all comes down to the barrier draw and rides on the day,” he said.

For Tim Moses, who’ll be listening intently by phone on Saturday, winning the Boolooroo Cup as an owner means everything.

He proudly has Poitrel’s Melbourne Cup in his possession – and reckons there’s a spot next to it for the B&W Rural Boolooroo Cup.

Tim has fond memories of riding the circuit, and created impressive stats during his 19 years in the saddle.

His father Reg, known universally as Tig, also rode his share of winners at picnic meetings across the north-west.

Tig passed away in 2010 and it was fitting that a filly owned by Tim, named To Bow, won the inaugural Tig Moses Memorial at Inverell six months later.

“I had a lot of support from my father. He was an amateur jockey and loved it, and won the Corinthian Handicap in Sydney,” Tim said.

“I’ve never had a runner in the Boolooroo Cup and neither did dad.”

Tim’s fond memories of riding the circuit are deeply embedded.

“Riding at the picnics is the best sport I’ve ever been involved in,” he said.

“Back then, Moree was the last meeting on the circuit. It was the hardest place to ride winners. The horses were better and the jockeys were better. I struggled to ride a winner there when I started, but I persevered and ended up winning four cups.

“It was so much fun. When you first start, you’re just pleased to get a ride. When you’ve been at it for a while and winning races, the adrenalin rush hits you,” he said.

Moses rode about 150 winners – averaging one every four rides – and during a memorable three-year stretch, rode at least one winner at every meeting he attended.

Tim is also credited with being the last jockey to win the Boolooroo Cup when it was held over 1700m. The years was 1989, and the winner was Aerobus, trained by George Sinclair.

“The following year they changed it to 1400m and I won that, too,” Tim said.

“I’ll go down in history for that I suppose, but I’m sure they won’t teach it in school,” he laughed.

The B&W Rural Boolooroo Cup is by no means a two-horse race, with Moree Picnic Race Club on Monday receiving 91 nominations for the six-race card.

The feature drew 23 nominations from across New South Wales and southern Queensland while the 950m RDO Equipment Moree Picnic Bracelet drew 18 nominations.

To view weights, go to Moree Picnics Weights.

Final fields will be announced Thursday morning.

Bus service available

To ensure patrons get to the track safely, and on time, buses will run from the Albert Motel, Royal Hotel and Moree Golf Club from 11am to 2pm at half-hour intervals.

Return buses will begin at 5pm and finish at 11.30pm.

Private transfers are subject to availability. Contact Melissa O’Dempsey on 0427 542167 to discuss options for groups of six or more from private residences within town limits.

Picnic lunch

Patrons are encouraged to take along a picnic lunch to share with friends and family under the main marquee at the president’s luncheon.

The long-standing custom of bringing plates to share dates back to 1924, when Moree held its first picnic race meeting.

Everyone is invited to join president Alex Madden under the marquee and partake in this longstanding tradition.

Moree Lions Club barbecue will also be fired up, with delicious steak and sausage sandwiches available for purchase.

Out on the track

The May 24 Moree picnic races feature a six-race card and $42,000 prize money.

Signature races include the 1400m Boolooroo Cup, won last year by Peter Sinclair’s Peak Road, and the 950m Moree Bracelet, won by Ridge Wilson’s Hiraishin.

Major sponsors for round one of bush racing’s Golden Triangle include Nutrien Ag, RDO Equipment, GrainCorp, B&W Rural, Kenway and Clark Case IH and North West Events.

Tickets

Tickets are only available online from TryBooking at: https://www.trybooking.com/DADHV.

Ticket prices are $40 per person for general race-day admission, with a race-book Included, or $140 per person for race-day admission as well as the dinner-dancer afterwards.

Moree Picnic Races

When: Saturday, May 24

Where: Moree racecourse

Time: From around midday ‘til late

After-party entertainment: Route 33

Tix: https://www.trybooking.com/DADHV