THE plaudits continue to roll in for Scone trainer Greg Bennett.
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At Friday night’s 2016 NSW Country and Provincial Racing Awards, his galloper Clearly Innocent was named Country Horse of the Year.
The ceremony was held at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney.
Bennett and jockey Tommy Berry joined forces to win the prestigious The Country Championships Final at Randwick,with Clearly Innocent claiming the $210,000 first prize from ex-Muswellbrook trainer Mack Griffith’s runner Pera Pera.
Samantha Clenton, who also guided the four-year-old gelding to victory in the Horsepower Luskin Star Stakes, took home Country Apprentice Jockey of the Year.
The Country recipients of the awards for 2016:
Simon Nivison Special Achievement Award Ian Giffin (Wellington)
Country Horse of the Year Award Clearly Innocent
Country TAB Race Club of the Year Murrumbidgee Turf Club
Community Race Club of the Year Walcha Jockey Club
Outstanding Achievement Award Moree Race Club (The Chopper Cup)
Country Trainer of the Year Brett Thompson
Media Award John Scorse (Sky)
Country Jockey of the Year Greg Ryan
Country Apprentice Jockey of the Year Samantha Clenton
Special Recognition Awards were awarded to Barbara Joseph (trainer) and Geoff Newling (media).
The Provincial recipients of the awards for 2016:
Ted McCabe Provincial Recognition Award Peter Norrgard
Provincial Horse of the Year Lucia Valentina
Provincial Trainer of the Year Kris Lees
Provincial Jockey of the Year Brenton Avdulla
Provincial Apprentice Jockey of the Year Andrew Adkins
All finalists and nominees, however, should be very proud of their efforts during the 2015/16 season which deserves this level of recognition.