The opportunity to compare T.A.B and bookmakers odds is a big plus for on course patrons and stay at home punters missed the boat when Illusory won the final event at Parkes last Friday.

After hovering around the 2.20 mark, Illusory returned a final 2.00 T.A.B dividend.

Meanwhile, bookmakers were "blowing" Illusory in the market and the gelding's odds eased from 3.00 to a final starting price of 5.00.

A very astute punter waited until the last moment to take the 5.00 on offer and sent one bookmaker home with a much lighter bag.

Ridden by Greg Ryan for Bathurst trainer Leanne Aspros, Illusory was under minimum pressure when a very easy winner over Billy Bass and Shapeshifter.

Surprisingly, the third placed Shapeshifter, a stablemate of the winner, started the 3.00 favourite with bookmakers after solid on course support.

Champion jockey Greg Ryan has an army of fans around Australia which probably explained the 2.00 favouritism for Illusory on the T.A.B.

A different scenario is an earlier race at Parkes where on course punters enjoyed a better return from the T.A.B on the "plunge" horse Laurie's In Vogue.

Trained at Cowra by Rob Cantrell and ridden by Matthew Privato, Laurie's In Vogue won the BT Equipment Maiden Handicap from Romarlee Fox and Mr Image.

Close stable supporters ripped thousands of dollars from bookmakers bags in a 16.00 to 10.00 plunge.

Punters watching the tote moniters at Parkes were able to secure a T.A.B final dividend of 18.50.

The above betting odds variations between bookmakers and the T.A.B are regular occurrences and emphasise the advantage of being on course.

Broken Hill is a unique city and appropriately the 37th annual St Pats race meeting held recently was a huge success in the "year of the outback".

Big prizemoney helps Broken Hill attract starters from vast distances and runners came from Adelaide, Kilmore (Vic) Swan Hill (Vic) and the central and western areas of New South Wales.

Rodney Robb (Nyngan), Simone Beattie (Condobolin), Col Richards (Nyngan) and Noel Hamilton (Dubbo) were trainers from our region with starters while amongst the 19 bookmakers operating were Noel Teys, Ken Orbell, Peter Orbell and John Smith, all from Dubbo.

As Broken Hill was hosting a T.A.B meeting for the first time Central Districts stewards James Perry, Ray Livingstone and Todd Smith assisted the Far West chief steward Trevor Odgers while Sean Reddan the Country Racing Council regional manager was also present, along with media personality Tim Moses and Dubbo Turf Club secretary manager, Chris Davis who were busy promoting the big Dubbo carnival in April.

The Finish Lynx camera now also in use for the first time with Chris Foyster from Dubbo the operator.

During the Broken Hill meeting Trevor Odgers was awarded life membership for his great service to the club.

A crowd of approximately 6,500 saw the Jim Smith, Morphettville, trained Vandelcare (Claire Lindop) win the $24,000 Pasminco Country Cup (2100 metres) from Salazar (Paul Marks)and The Chaplain (Chis Wearne).

Dubbo trainer Noel Hamilton was very happy with the top run from The Chaplain.

Likewise, Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb was celebrating when Gold Dollar won the Bundaberg Maiden Plate.

Chris Wearne brought up 80 wins when successful on Gold Dollar and has now outridden his allowance.

Other central district jockeys competing were Greg Ryan who won on Adelaide galloper Sunbury and Dale Jeffries.

Greg Ryan also rode No Other Name for Condobolin trainer Simone Beattie, finishng a close second to Gold Dollar.

Previews in later editions of Cobar (Saturday), Dubbo (Monday), Tottenham Picnics (March 23) Cowra Cup (March 24) and Forbes Jockey Club organised camel races (March 23).