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By Mark Brassel

There is a real buzz floating around the Riverina town of Narrandera as it prepares to host a sizeable crowd at next Sunday’s Leeton Toyota Narrandera Cup Day.

As a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting, the program offers a huge $250,00 in prizemoney.

“The entire town is looking forward to Cup Day,” declared Narrandera Race Club’s Racing Manager, Michael Bailey.

There'll be some great racing action at Narrandera next Sunday. Image by Kylie Shaw (Trackpix)

“The weather has settled down and is looking great for next week, which has a lot of people in the area excited and talking racing.

“Our racedays are generally during the winter as we have a course suited to wet days.

“It is the toughest time of the year for many race clubs with clay-based tracks, whereas ours is sand-based so we’re rarely rained out.”

Feature event will be the $40,000 Leeton Toyota Narrandera Cup (1600m) and already Goulburn trainer Kurt Goldman has entered two of his gallopers, Intuition and Black Wand.

Intuition, a Randwick and Flemington winner part-owned by Canberra Raiders star Jarrod Croker, has had four runs back from a spell and should be nearing peak fitness. Two starts back he was beaten a nose at Newcastle.

Black Wand, a Rosehill and Eagle Farm winner, has also had four runs back and will be competitive. Albury trainer Mitchell Beer took out last year’s Cup with Power Me Up.

Michael Bailey said the Club and its Committee have put an enormous effort into next weekend’s raceday.

“There’ll be something for everyone. We have full catering and bar facilities as well as a TAB and bookmakers on course.

“The eight races will be highlighted by the Cup that’s sponsored by our good friends at Leeton Toyota with the supporting race the Bill Adams Memorial.

“We have an air-conditioned function centre and heated betting ring with a Fashions on the Field sponsored by QPL Real Estate.

“Among the categories are the Lady of the Day, Narrandera Shire Lady of the Day, Gentleman of the Day and a Millinery award.

“I must make mention of our other sponsors who really look after us: Texas Jane fashion in Wagga, Patton Racing, Sunshine Dry Cleaners, Wagga Racing Supporters Club, Auswald & Broad Accountants, Elders Narrandera & Coleambally and Narrandera Bakery.”

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the XXXX July Winter Racing Carnival, with the two features the $200,000 Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday and the $200,000 Southside Pharmacy Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday.

Last start Caloundra Cup winner Le Don de Vie is topweight for the Grafton Cup with 60.5kg and other entries include local galloper Bold Contender, winner of his past three starts including the Cup Prelude.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Queanbeyan, Warren
Tuesday: Albury, Gunnedah
Wednesday: Grafton
Thursday: Grafton
Friday: Scone Dubbo
Saturday: Lismore, Carinda (non-TAB)
Sunday: Grafton, Narrandera