One of the NSW mid north coast’s favourite sons ex-jockey Corey Brown will be saluted at the Taree race meeting next Sunday.
Brown had a glittering riding career cut short by injury having guided home nearly 2500 winners and 49 Group Ones including a couple of Melbourne Cups.
Brown, 47, grew up in the nearby town of Wingham just 9km from Taree and on Sunday a celebration of Wingham – the oldest town in the Manning Valley – will be held at Taree Racecourse.
Originally a cedar, dairy and cattle town, Wingham has now become a ‘must visit’ town on the mid-North Coast offering a variety of cafes and differing shopping experiences.
“Hopefully the Wingham Cup being run on the June long weekend will present visitors to the local area the opportunity to experience a good day of racing and some good old country hospitality by visiting Wingham itself,” said Damien Toose, Chief Executive of Manning Valley Race Club.
“On this day we will be running the 2024 Wingham Cup with eight races slotted for the day highlighted by the running of the Wingham Cup and the Corey Brown Cup.
“The latter recognises the outstanding service given by local product Corey Brown to the overall racing industry.
“From his days in the saddle through to help educate the future stars of the jockey ranks, Corey still plays a part as a regular contributor to the raceday television coverage on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“Corey was only recently inducted into the Manning Valley Sporting Hall of Fame which is recognition for his contribution to the local region and the racing industry.
“We hope that people take the opportunity of a long weekend to get out and about and we would love to see them trackside and visiting all the towns within the Manning Valley.”
On Friday one of Dubbo’s feature races, the Kings Hall Jewellers Silver Goblet, heads an eight-race program with Racing NSW Country Showcase prizemoney of $280,000.
“The main event, the [$40,000] Kings Hall Jewellers Silver Goblet 2YO Handicap, has been a terrific launching pad for promising juveniles including Gallant Star, Eiger, Calescent and Conscript,” said Sam Fitzgerald, Dubbo Turf Club’s GM.
“We’ll also have two heats of the Dubbo RSL Club Winter Country Classic for fillies & mares, and for colts, geldings and entires with the top seven from each heat eligible for the Final on June 30.”
The following day Mallawa picnic races are on and form the second leg of the popular Golden Triangle in western NSW. Moree kicked off the series last month with Talmoi the final leg on Saturday 22 June.
The Talmoi picnic races are held at Garah, just south of the Queensland border, and is popular with families for a picnic lunch and a great day of country racing.
Meanwhile, many locals and visitors will gather at Gulgong – about 30km north west of Mudgee – for a great day’s racing and socialising on Gulgong Gold Cup Day next Sunday.
The afternoon is one of Gulgong’s biggest events with a six-race program and gates opening at midday.
Gulgong Turf Club will have a bar and a canteen with the feature the $14,000 Robert Oatley Vineyards Gulgong Gold Cup (1200m).
– Racing NSW