IN-FORM Gunnedah trainer Gavin Groth hopes to start at least five horses at Mallawa picnic races on Saturday, with tough old gelding Norman leading the way in the $12,000 Mallawa Cup (1400m).

And while Groth left Moree picnics empty-handed nearly two weeks ago, he was quickly back in the winners’ circle at his hometown cup meeting the next day.

Stablemates Injair and Sian won for Groth at the huge May 25 Gunnedah Cup meeting and the trainer backed up the double six days later at Tamworth when Gloryess and Pop Quiz saluted.

Groth hopes to keep the momentum going at Mallawa on Saturday.

“Norman will be in the cup – it was a terrific run at Moree,” Groth said.

Norman came from worse than midfield approaching the home turn in the Boolooroo Cup to grind away in the straight for second to Jane Clement’s Awesome Tycoon.

Norman was third behind Hardyo in last year’s Talmoi Cup and second to Bill Peyto in the Wean Cup.

Gunnedah Gavin Groth and jockey Ricky Blewitt at Moree picnics on May 24.

Norman’s three minor picnic placings were behind horses trained by Clement – and the seven-year-old is again likely to meet the Armidale trainer’s Awesome Tycoon and Toulon Factor at Mallawa.

“Norman can be a bit indifferent, but he’s done well at Mallawa and Talmoi in the past, so he’ll handle the dirt and I expect him to run well,” Groth said.

Groth has also nominated Annual and Powerstone in the $10,000 Mallawa Bracelet (1000m).

He’ll wait and see how Annual gets through the week after the mare finished second to A Bit Bazarre in a barrier trial at Moree on Tuesday.

Annual, formerly trained at Canberra by Wayne Hudd, finished down the track in the Moree Bracelet at her first start for Groth, but he’s keen to see the mare start at Mallawa.

“I’m just undecided which one to take to Mallawa at this stage,” Groth said.

“Annual trialled at Moree and we’ll see how she pulls up, and I’m still learning about her.

“I’d rather take her because Powerstone has had a bit of a campaign already, but I’ll be guided by how Annual is after the trial,” he said.

Groth also starts La Mia Via and Showtime Sassy in the 1200m class 3 handicap as well as luckless mare Barrieanna in the 1200m maiden plate.

“Showtime Sassy ran second at Moree, not beaten far,” Groth said.

“It was her first go carrying the picnic weights, and I think she’ll be better on the dirt. She’s improved heaps and I think she’ll be hard to beat.”

La Mia Via resumed at Moree picnics from a let-up with a close-up sixth behind I’m Scarlett in the Moree Bracelet.

I’m Scarlett franked the form with a fast-finishing second in strong TAB company at Warren on Monday.

“La Mia Via ran well in the Bracelet, went really good,” Groth said.

“There’s form out of the race and I expect her to go well.”

Four-year-old mare Barrieanna finished a first-up third to the highly-rated Ellati at Moree picnics over 950m.

The step up to 1200m at Mallawa should suit perfectly.

“She was really unlucky at Moree, and probably should have finished second,” Groth said.

“Barrieanna was never going to beat the winner – that went really good – but I give her a smokie’s chance at Mallawa.”

Fields and barrier draws for Mallawa picnics will be finalised today.

A special race-day bus will leave the Royal Hotel in Moree at 11am and depart the racecourse at around 6pm.

There will be a barbeque picnic lunch, fully licensed bar, ATM on course and live music with SAX Appeal from 6pm.

Night function tickets for members and guests are available at Pitman Deakin on Balo Street in Moree.

Online race-day ticket options available here: Mallawa 2025 Race-Day Tix.

Weights for Mallawa picnic races will be released today, June 3, with final fields declared at 9am, Thursday, June 5.

Major sponsors include B&W Rural, Kenway and Clark, Air Cair Aviation, Nutrien Ag Solutions, RDO Equipment, Titan Ag Crop Protection, Badengi Engineering, Irritek, Entegra Signature Structures, Australian Food & Fibre, Namoi Cotton, Girard Grader Hire, Wathagar Ginning Company, Boland Petroleum, MHVP Pty Ltd, LiuGong and McGregor Gourlay Agricultural Services.

Talmoi picnic races round out bush racing’s Golden Triangle on Saturday, June 21.

The six-race card features the 1400m Talmoi Cup, won last year by Hardyo, and the 1000m Talmoi Bracelet. Total Prize money is $38,000.

Mallawa Picnic Races

When: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Where: Mallawa racecourse

Time: From about 11am

Ticket options: Mallawa 2025 Race-Day Tix

Night function tickets: Pitman Deakin on Balo Street

After-party entertainment: SAX Appeal