The countdown is all but over with the highly-anticipated Country Championships kicking off this weekend.
Goulburn has the honour of conducting the first of the $100,000 Country Championships Qualifiers on Saturday (20th February). Their Qualifier is for South East Racing Association and Canberra-trained gallopers.
The following day will see Scone stage its $100K Country Championships Qualifier for horses prepared in the Hunter & North Western Association region.
To ensure the meeting is a showcase event, Racing NSW lifted prizemoney for each of the seven supporting races at Goulburn from $15,000 to $20,000.
“We are pleased that a progressive and enthusiastic race club such as Goulburn will kick off this year’s second Country Championships,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.
“Goulburn has a top class racetrack and great facilities that regularly attracts city-trained gallopers.
The $100,000 Country Championships Qualifier is certain to attract an excellent field and a large crowd, which in turn provides a boost to the community.
“The involvement of Country and Provincial participants has been overwhelmingly successful and with Racing NSW injecting a further $100,000 into each Final, the concept will reach greater heights.”
The first and second placegetters in each qualifying heat can then head to Royal Randwick on Saturday 2 April to compete for a $400,000 purse – increased $100,000 this year by Racing NSW – in the Country Championships Final (1400m).
Wagga is next in line to host their Qualifier on Saturday 27th February, with Taree, Grafton, Wellington, Dubbo and Muswellbrook (‘Wild Card’) following suit.
Each of the 12 race clubs staging a Country and Provincial Championships Day will host an excellent day of racing and live entertainment with an array of food and beverages available.
Goulburn is offering a complimentary BBQ, live entertainment with ‘Blazing Boots’, The G Clothing Store’s Fashions on the Field, a kids’ petting nursery, a jumping castle and pony rides.
The 2016 The Championships will be held on Saturday April 2 and 9 at Royal Randwick, where the 12 grand finals of Australian Thoroughbred racing will be centre stage incorporating eight Group One events as well as the second running of the Provincial and Country Championships Finals.
This preview of The Championships is brought to you by Racing NSW. Mark Brassel is a writer for Racing NSW Magazine, www.racingnsw.com.au and thechampionships.com.au
