NARROMINE jockey Ricky Blewitt is back to his best, and he proved that on Saturday with a winning treble at Mallawa picnic races – round two of bush racing’s Golden Triangle.

Blewitt resumed at the recent Moree picnics after a six-month injury-enforced lay-off and managed a couple of placings, but soon found the winning post at Mallawa – three times.

Blewitt’s treble included an all-the-way win on former Canberra sprinter Annual for Gunnedah trainer Gavin Groth in the 1000m RDO Equipment Mallawa Bracelet, a race he won 10 years ago on Long Lasting for Peter Sinclair.

Blewitt also won on Wayne Oakenfull’s impressive mare Ellati in the 1000m Irritek Class 2 Handicap and Groth’s Showtime Sassy in the race-day opener.

Annual was disappointing in the Moree Bracelet two weeks ago after leading to the turn and finishing well back, but was given a barrier trial tune-up five days before the Mallawa meeting.

“That was a bit of a surprise,” Blewitt said.

“I thought at Moree on her best form she could run a race. She jumped good and led, but stopped pretty quickly.

“Today, we drew the outside and I gave her a squeeze to get to the front. I couldn’t believe nothing wanted to take me on, so I gave her a breather for about a furlong.

“Just before the turn, I asked her to quicken and she was never going to get beaten – she kept going all the way to the line.

“She didn’t have that burst at Moree, so maybe it was the dirt and a firmer track that helped her today,” Blewitt said.

“The trial may have helped, too. She was a lot quieter in the tie-up stalls, and a totally different horse today. It was good to see her win.”

Narromine hoop Ricky Blewitt rode three winners at Mallawa on Saturday.

Annual ($8) ran the small field ragged to score by two lengths from 2023 Mallawa Bracelet winner Billy Bent Ear (($7), with last year’s winner Super Hot ($3 eq fav) half-a-length away third.

Groth said Annual was being aimed at the $50, 000 Picnic Championship Sprint Final, a new race on the calendar to complement the 1400m Picnic Championship Final, also worth $50,000.

“That was a very pleasing win,” Groth said.

“I was disappointed with her at Moree picnics and trialled her at the Moree professionals the other day to give her some confidence – and fitness.

“I also put the visors on, which really made the difference today. I think the firmer surface helped as well.

“The plan is to set her for the Picnic Championships Sprint Final, but one day we might get back to TAB meetings.”

Blewitt and Groth also teamed up to win the 1200m Australian Food and Fibre Class 3 Handicap with Showtime Sassy – Groth’s third double in as many weeks.

“I rode her at Moree when they were getting into the track a little bit and thought she’d be a lot better on top of the ground, which was the case today,” Blewitt said.

Showtime Sassy ($4.20) sat off the speed in second spot before pouncing in the straight to win by a long-head from Geoff O’Brien’s Akauwheo ($9) with early leader Narrative ($5) two lengths away third.

“She jumped and sat outside the leader and travelled well, but the leader kicked as soon as we straightened and got about two lengths in front,” Blewitt said.

“But as soon as I put one around her tail, she really quickened. It was a good win.”