By COLIN HODGES
Wayne Martyn, when a resident of Forbes, rode winners as a jockey at central west picnic race meetings.
Now a long time trainer at Coonabarabran, Wayne returned on Saturday to his former home town to win with the six year old gelding Felis at the successful Forbes Jockey Club spring meeting.
Although an $11 outsider, Felis had good support in the betting ring and well ridden by Georgina McDonnell came from a distinct last with a strong finish down the outside to win the 1600 metres Terry Bros Carpet Court Benchmark 50 Handicap by a half length from Da Noive (Dylan Stanley, $3.80) and Well Decorated (Wendy Peel, $18).
Wayne Martyn will now no doubt start getting runners ready for the Coonabarabran Cup meeting on Sunday 27th October.
Orange trainer Melissa Harrison not only won the race but also supplied the quinella in the 1400 metres Forbes Machinery & BWR Accountants Benchmark 50 Handicap.
Close to the leaders at the top of the straight, On The Decs (Shayleigh Ingelse, $7) won by a long neck from stablemate Bobby’s Secret (Ken Dunbar, $3.70) while Dundas (Clayton Gallagher, $2.20 favourite) was a long head away, third.
Favourite backers were off to a good start when the Roy McCabe, Bathurst trained Tommy’s Girl (Ashleigh Stanley, $2.90) turned for home in third place then finished best to beat Kingsway (Kody Nestor, $4.80) and Dalante (Andrew Banks, $19) in the 1400 metres Peter Maher Shearing Services & Bryton Wool Maiden Handicap.
A typically polished ride by Mathew Cahill paved the way for success by Angel Of Spring in the 1200 metres Shead & Nicholson and Ron Baker Switchboards Maiden Plate.
Best to begin, the Garry Kirkup, Canberra trained Angel Of Spring ($2.20 favourite) was eased to fourth before finishing well to account for Catori Lass (Ken Dunbar, $9) and The Legal Factor (Clayton Gallagher, $6).
Clayton Gallagher had better fortune when he brought the Gayna Williams, Bathurst trained Cheap Shot ($2.35 favourite) from back in the field to beat Slush Fund (Kody Nestor, $4.80) and Field Agent (Mathew Cahill, $7) by a half length in the 1200 metres Acheson’s Mitre 10 Benchmark 50 Handicap.
Punters who backed the Michael Lunn, Dubbo trained Rewarding Belle, first over the line in the 1100 metres Forbes Livestock & Agency Co Class 1 Handicap, breathed a sigh of relief when a protest by the jockey on the runner up for alleged interference at the 600 metres was dismissed.
After tracking the leaders, Rewarding Belle (Andrew Banks, $9) hit the front and won by over a length from the fast finishing Rothgate (Clayton Gallagher, $1.85 favourite) with Play The Record (Hannah Johnston, $16) filling third place.
The Forbes racecourse was presented in great condition through the hard work of the committee and track curator Tom Molloy.
Coming up: Racing at Narromine on Saturday featuring the Dandy Cup with Orange to race on Tuesday.