Some of the best regional racehorses will make the trip to Royal Randwick this Saturday for Day 1 of the Championships in Sydney.
A feature of the carnival will be the $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championship Final.
Regional heats have been held over the past three months, with the best performed horses in the qualifying series progressing to race against the best at Royal Randwick in front of huge crowds.
Contenders have come from regional areas including Grafton, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Taree, Mudgee, Tamworth, Coonamble and Scone.
Acting Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said this series has created significant interest in regional racing as it gives the owners and trainers of these horses the chance to compete at a major metropolitan meeting for big prizemoney.
“For regional trainers and owners to have a runner on a Saturday meeting at Royal Randwick in a feature race is very special and an enormous accomplishment,” Mr Toole said.
Minister for Racing Kevin Anderson said the Country Championship final is always a hotly contested event and this year is no different with a full field of 16 lining up for the big one.
“The winner of the Country Championships will earn themselves a spot in the history books of regional racing,” Mr Anderson said.
“This Saturday’s winner will join the likes of Art Cadeau, Gracie Belle and Noble Boy as among the most recognised regional race horses in NSW.”
