INVERELL and Moree versus Moree and Inverell – if that makes sense – will head markets at Moree picnic races tomorrow when Shut Eye and Lesgo Don clash in the 1400m B&W Rural Boolooroo Cup.

Both gallopers are trained at Inverell, but owned in Moree, and both sets of owners want to add the time-honoured Boolooroo Cup to their trophy cabinets.

Shut Eye, trained by Wayne Oakenfull, is owned by Moree’s Our Next New Horse syndicate, comprising Angela Adams, Jason Auld, Natalee Cook, Nicola Dillon, Noel Dillon, Michelle Gobbert, Kerrie Hine, Wayne Monckton, Gig Moses, Judy Munro, Casey O’Hara, Bill Poulos, Gus Shelton, Jimmy Stevens and Andrew Uphill.

The syndicate has twice tasted Boolooroo Cup success in recent years, with crowd favourite Fiocchi putting back-to-back wins together in 2022 and 2023.

Since forming in 2014, the syndicate has won 26 races with several horses, including a Moree Bracelet and Carinda Cup with Cool Rules, Warialda Cup and Inverell Goodwood Cup with Playa, Mallawa Bracelet with Long Lasting, Inverell Bush Battlers’ Cup with Danigree, and wins at the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich with Cryptoshare.

Shut Eye wins at Goondiwindi late last year with Chris Taylor in the saddle. Picnic jockey Ashley Boyd takes over tomorrow in the 1400m Boolooroo Cup at Moree picnics (Image Supplied).

Striking grey Fiocchi won seven races for the syndicate, including two Boolooroo Cups, the 2023 Mallawa Cup and 2022 Talmoi Cup, when the Garah meeting was transferred to Moree.

Track specialist Lesgo Don, trained at Inverell by Ridge Wilson, is owned by Moree’s Les Quinn, his daughter Donna, and grandson Jack Forman, who selected the horse at a ready-to-run sale in 2022.

Like the Our Next New Horse syndicate, Quinn is no stranger to the winners’ circle.

His best horse was home-bred gelding Classic Karla, winner of the Listed QRSE Smith and Nephew Stakes and CEB Barnes Plate at Eagle Farm in the early 2000s.

Classic Karla also won three races at Doomben and was placed in the 2006 Toowoomba Cup.

In all, Classic Karla won 14 races for Quinn and nearly $400,000 prize money.

Shut Eye (left), with strapper Tammy Sproule and Lesgo Don with strapper Matthew Moebus at Inverell this week (Image Supplied).

More recently, Lesgo Don, to be ridden on Saturday by Kembla Grange jockey Dylan Parrott, has delivered Quinn some good wins, including the Warialda Cup last month.

“I’ve won some big races over the years, especially with Classic Karla, but winning the Warialda Cup really meant a lot to me,” Quinn said.

Trainer Ridge Wilson, who also starts More Cash in the 1600m Kenway and Clark Case IH Class 2 Handicap, said Lesgo Don has the job ahead from barrier seven and 70kg.

“The outside gate and the weight are a bit of a problem,” Wilson said.

“Our horse, and probably Shut Eye to an extent, are not well weighted. But Lesgo Don is a trier – that’s one thing he’ll always do – and he loves the track.

“He’s won at Moree with Ella Drew on from an outside alley, so he can do it, I suppose – but I’m not confident with 70kg,” he said.

“He’s owned at Moree. Les and his family will be there, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. But in saying that, it doesn’t map all that great for us.

“To be honest, I think my two runners have most likely been weighted out of their races,” Wilson said.

Trainer Wayne Oakenfull is also concerned about the weight given Shut Eye.

“It’s a big ask with 69kg, but he’s drawn okay in barrier five. He carried 72.5kg in this race last year and didn’t handle it at all. The three-and-a-half kilo drop will help, I suppose, but I’m not convinced he’s a good weight carrier, especially at the picnics,” he said.

Moree picnic races tomorrow features fashions-on-the-field and an evening dinner with entertainment by Split Image.

The meeting is sponsored by a large number of local and corporate businesses, including Nutrien Ag Solutions, B&W Rural, RDO Equipment, Kenway and Clark, Graincorp and North West Marquees and Events.

Gates open at midday, with patrons encouraged to bring along a picnic lunch.

Tickets are available online only at Moree Picnic Races TIX.

Bush Racing’s Golden Triangle

Moree: Saturday, May 23

Online tickets for Moree: Moree Picnic Races TIX

Moree updates: MPRC Facebook Page

Mallawa: Saturday, June 6. Updates at Mallawa Facebook Page

Online tickets for Mallawa: Mallawa Picnic Races TIX

Talmoi: Saturday, June 20. Updates at Talmoi Facebook Page