General News
6 December, 2025
Narromine hoop makes long trek to win opener at Bong Bong picnics
Raced at Bong Bong (Bowral) on Friday, November 21
Narromine-based Ricky Blewitt travelled to the Southern Highlands and rode the opening winner at the recent Bong Bong Picnic Races.
Riding for Cessnock trainer Jeremy Sylvester, Blewitt led for home on Clan D’Oro ($2.50 favourite) which staved off a strong challenge to win the 1000 metres Asbourne Maiden Plate in a close finish from Eternity Star (Sebastian Galea, $2.70) and Bella Madonna (Leandro Ribeiro, $5).
Although he missed a place on outsider Tycoon Charger in the feature race this year, Ricky Blewitt has won the Bong Bong Picnic Cup three times.
The Narromine jockey has saluted previously on the Steve Turner- trained Shagny Miss, the James Cummings-trained Colour Of Money and on Frenzied for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainer partnership. The 2025 KJ Scaffolding Bong Bong Picnic Cup (1560 metres) was won by the Anthony Warren, Canberra-trained Valentine John ridden by Sebastian Galea formerly from Dubbo and now a trackwork rider for prominent trainer Phillip Stokes in Victoria.
Close to the leader at the top of the straight, Valentine John ($11) won the Cup by a long neck from San Marco (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.60 favourite) and Zartamay (Bessie Dimery, $7).
Making a comeback, Ramon Perez (47) at his first race ride in over 25 years, won the 1000 metres Gubbins Pulbrook Mitre 10 Class Two Handicap at Bong Bong on Aegipan.
Clinging to a slender lead in the straight, the Patrick Murphy, Goulburn trained Aegipan ($4), responding to strong riding from Perez, held on to beat Picksix (Leandro Ribeiro, $7) and Sontag (Sebastian Galea, $2.50 favourite).
Before coming to Australia in 2010, Ramon Perez was the leading apprentice jockey in North America and rode 390 winners including two winners at Group One level.
Apprenticed to Hall Of Fame inducted trainer William Mott in America, Ramon Perez became too heavy for race riding and although he had left school at a young age studied for years and became a qualified veterinary surgeon which is his occupation in Australia.
Picnic racing is now in recess until next year and resumes in February at Bedgerabong, Condobolin and Yass.
Read More: Nyngan