24/04/2026
It might be an idea for Jack Smith to take his vehicle to his local mechanic in Forbes this week just to ensure everything is in good working order, so that he or his wife Maree will have a trouble-free trip to Newcastle next Friday night.
In the vehicle next Friday will be Magpie Hector, the favourite for the $250,000 Ladbrokes 715 who was in dynamic form in winning his heat of the world’s richest distance event at The Gardens on Friday night, and while they will be hoping for a repeat of the result in 2022, they can do without the pre-race drama.
Jack and Maree won the inaugural 715 with super stayer Miss Ezmae, but the road to riches was anything but smooth.
On her way from Forbes, Maree broke down in a little place called Sandy Hollow, 140km from Newcastle. Desperate to get there, she and Miss Ezmae accosted a young man headed for the Central Coast and hitched a ride to The Gardens. The rest is history.
Read the full story below 👇
Ladbrokes.com.au Ladbrokes Gardens Irinka Kennels
