Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb made hay while the sun shined during his recent expedition to the Simpson Desert Racing Carnival in outback Queensland.
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During his time away, the local area suffered because of rain with meetings at Parkes, Mendooran, Mudgee, Collarenebri, Grenfell and Walgett all washed out.
Hosting the outback Queensland meetings were Betoota (a ghost town where the hotel closed 20 years ago),and the small towns of Birdsville and Bedourie.
Average rainfall per year for the arid region is about 125mm yet ironically the 2016 Birdsville races were nearly abandoned when around 50mm flooded the track during race week.
"The committee at Birdsville did an incredible job to drain the water from the track and repair the racing surface and likewise at Betoota,” Robb said.
Over the Carnival the Robb stable had five winners and several places, leading to winnings of more than $50,000 plus a $3,000 bonus for Jen See See, who was the leading horse at the carnival having scored three wins.
Robb also pocketed an extra $1,000 for being the leading trainer.
Ridden by Dubbo jockey Kody Nestor, Jen See See came from behind to win at Betoota as a $2.80 chance while he also started as a $2.40 favourite when leading all the way to win at Birdsville.
The hat-trick was completed when Robb’s apprentice Clayton Gallagher took the $2.80 ride and won at Bedourie. Gallagher also rode Nordic Red and Miss Mellencamp to victory at Birdsville and Bedourie respectively.