Parkes started well in the Mick Miller Shield contest, outscoring Forbes, 147 to 142.

Richard Hamilton (Pks) won the individual event on 28 points, followed home by John Smith (Fbs) on the count-back from Barry Parker (Fbs), both on 26 points.

Sonna Bell (Pks) took home the encouragement award.

Nearest the pins was a scant affair, with only two winners, both from Forbes, Ken Sanderson and Scott Kirkman.

This week we return to Forbes and then return to Parkes on the 17th.

January for the first game in the Lachlan Valley 18 Holes Competition, commencing at 10am. A cup of tea will be available at 9.30am in the Club house.

Michael

Cheryl Crockett from Mudgee became the third member of her family to train the winner of the 1600 metres Gilgandra  Cup  when Mackellars Love galloped to victory in the  $35,000 feature race on Sunday.

Mackellars Love had been the final starter in a race for the legendary horse breaker and trainer Max Crockett and following his recent passing his wife Cheryl Crockett obtained a trainers licence to keep operating the stable.

Cameron Crockett, the son of Max and Cheryl, won the 2018 Gilgandra Cup with Artistic Beauty following the Cup win by Lancelot trained by Max Crockett, in 2017.

Overall, Max Crockett was the trainer of four Gilgandra Cup winners, Leica Light ( 2008 ), Dream Winner ( 2012 ) and Lancelot ( 2014 and 2017 ).

Riding at Gilgandra for the first time, much travelled jockey Grant Buckley gave Mackellars Love a great run behind the leaders Cowboys Karma and Wollartant in the $35,000 Gilgandra Sporting Club Gilgandra Cup.

Sprinting to the lead in the straight, Mackellars Love ( $8.50 ) won by over two lengths from Cowboys Karma ( Ken Dunbar,$6 ) and Living Choice ( Tony Cavallo, $3.50 ).

The inaugural running of the Gilgandra Newspapers- Bob Foran Memorial Gilgandra Town Plate ( 1100 metres ) was the other feature at the 2019 Cup meeting.

This race had been staged for many years as the Vic and Maude Foran Memorial Town Plate as a tribute to the parents of legendary racecaller Bob Foran.

A wonderful citizen of Gilgandra, Bob Foran who passed away in June 2018 was the caller of an incredible 60 Gilgandra Cups during a career which saw him calling races at many tracks in central and western New South Wales.

Bob Foran was also a third generation trainer and won races in Sydney with Better Ghost ( 1980 ) and Veritas ( 1982 ).

From the Brett Thompson stable at Gulgong, talented sprinter Sugar Dance ( Billy Cray, $3.40 favourite ) led most of the way to beat A Martin Place Pick ( Daniel Northey, $10 ) and Fine Hero ( Ashleigh Stanley, $4.80 ) in the $27,000 Bob Foran Memorial Town Plate.

The 2 day carnival ( January 1 and 6 ) was also notable for the success enjoyed by owners and trainers from Gilgandra.

Sugar Lane ridden by Chelsea Ings for trainer Collen Thurston and owner Bryan Dixon won on both days of the carnival and now has the record of four wins and a second from five starts at the Gilgandra track.

Local trainer Bruce Parker won both days with Star Of Zizou ridden by Kath Bell-Pitomac and also won on Sunday with Bid To Fame with Tony Cavallo in the saddle.

On the first day of the carnival, the Leo Harland, Gilgandra trained  Trust Me Bill ( Ashleigh Stanley, $7 ) won the inaugural Gilgandra Services Club - Kate Smith Memotial Gold Cup ( 1550 metres ) from Ridgi Ridge ( Ken Dunbar, $15 ) and A Wild Enemy’s Pick ( Tony Cavallo, $8.50 ).

Racing at Wellington on Sunday and Cowra ( Cowra Cup and Cowra Japan Cup ) on Sunday, January 20 ).

Colin Hodges