Latest News

By Mark Brassel

Randwick and Moonee Valley winner Mayfair Spirit could become the next qualifier for the $2 million Big Dance at Orange on Friday.

The gelding has drawn the inside barrier for the $75,000 Orange Motor Group Orange Gold Cup (2100m) with first and second home qualifying for the rich race at Royal Randwick in November.

Shameonus (Ashley Morgan) takes out last year's Orange Gold Cup. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

The seven-year-old is prepared by the Ciaron Maher/David Eustace conglomerate and should be peaking at Orange having performed well in two runs back in the city from a 14-week break.

Mayfair Spirit finished fourth to Journalism on the Randwick Kensington Track (1550m) before another fourth on the same course (1800m) behind Silent Agenda.

Another Cup nomination is the Danny Williams-trained Marsabit who ran a cracking second to Beltoro in the Albury Cup on March 24.

Friday’s Orange meeting is a Country Showcase program carrying $320,000 in prizemoney. Support race for the Orange Cup is the $35,000 Coopers Brewery Showcase Sprint over 1000m.

Racing Orange will have plenty of entertainment including the Cosmedic Collective Fashions on the Field that features a ‘simply elegant’ theme.

And food wise, the Club’s catering consists of wood-fired pizzas and a BBQ, along with a coffee van and sweets bar.

There will be free buses running from the Tourist Information Centre (opposite Robertson Park) throughout the afternoon and again after the last race.

The following day is Ladies Day at Lismore Racetrack: “We have a specialised cocktail list featuring some Mr. Consistent Classics, amazing Brookie’s Gin creations and some raceday specials.

“That’s along with bar and catering specials – what better way to spend an afternoon in the autumn sun!” declared Lismore Turf Club’s functions and bar manager, Daniel Kedraika.

Then next Sunday, Gundagai-Adelong Racing Club kicks off a big 2023 of racing with the running of the time-honoured XXXX Gold Gundagai Cup.

“The track is in terrific condition, and we cannot wait to welcome a big raceday. Gates open at 11am with plenty of food and refreshments available,” said GARC’s secretary/manager, Len Tozer.

Meanwhile, last Saturday’s Newhaven Park Country Championships Final, won in the mud by $61 roughie Sizzle Minizzle, marked the first time a qualifier from the central or western districts had won the race since its inception in 2015.

Dubbo-based trainer Brett Robb trains Sizzle Minizzle and has a soft spot for the three-year-old having broken him in as a baby.

“He has taken a lot longer than we thought for the penny to drop but we’re now going to have a bit of fun with him.”

However, spare a thought for connections of Listen to the Band – the gelding had easily accounted for Sizzle Minizzle in the Coonamble qualifier but an injury to his foreleg forced him out of the race.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Armidale, Ballina
Friday: Orange
Saturday: Lismore, Holbrook (non-TAB), Warren (non-TAB), Grenfell picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Port Macquarie, Gundagai