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By Mark Brassel

The final two spots in this year’s $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final will be determined at Goulburn and Scone this coming week.

Goulburn Race Club is first cab off the rank on Friday with the $150,000 Southern Country Championships Wildcard (1400m).

Scone follows suit next Sunday with the $150,000 Northern Country Championships Wildcard (1400m) where only the winner from both races will gain a start in the big one at Royal Randwick on Saturday 1 April.

Goulburn - will host the Southern Wildcard on Friday. Image by Bradley Photographers

Goulburn CEO, Robyn Fife is confident having a Wildcard raceday on a Friday will create new opportunities for the club.

“A Friday afternoon at the races is a great way to get the weekend started and we hope to deliver a vibrant country racing experience,” she said.

“We’re inviting locals and visitors to start their weekend early by getting trackside for what should be a great afternoon of racing and socialising.

“There will also be a big contingent of owners on the day with showcase prizemoney of $370,000 on offer across all races.

“We will have food stalls, entertainment, a Fashions on the Field and an exclusive ‘The Precinct’ area for 18 to 35yos with a DJ, a bar with a complimentary drink, a TAB and seating with umbrellas for just $20 a ticket.”

Racegoers can also win an all-expenses paid weekend for four people attending Day 1 of The Star Championships with the prize including four reserve tickets to Royal Randwick, accommodation for four people including breakfast and a Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise for four on Sunday 2 April.

“It gives people another great incentive to attend our Southern Wildcard Raceday.”

Albury trainer Ron Stubbs has already qualified Bianco Vilano for the Championships Final and will be also hoping to qualify another of his well-performed gallopers Tap ‘N’ Run or Baledon at Goulburn.

And next Sunday Scone Race Club will host the Country Championships Northern Wildcard.

“The Newhaven Park Country Championships concept in leading the way nationally in Country racing and we are excited and privileged to host the last heat of what is an amazing series,” said Scone Race Club’s CEO, Steven Keene.

“The track is in immaculate condition, and we look forward to every horse getting their chance on Sunday.

“Along with some quality racing, we will have some first class hospitality in the Noel Leckie Function Room and a Kidszone with a free jumping castle, water slide, pony rides, a sausage sizzle and zooper doopers.

“There will also be a Cocktail Lawn Party where a DJ will entertain throughout the afternoon.”

Local trainer Brett Cavanough has nominated three runners for the Northern Wildcard – Sungblue, Tidal Rush and Two Ya Got.

The latter is a promising galloper having won four of his only eight starts including a last start victory at Tamworth when first-up, defeating Dimension which has franked the form by since winning at Tamworth.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Grafton
Tuesday: Moree
Thursday: Wagga
Friday: Goulburn*, Port Macquarie
Saturday: Sapphire Coast, Narromine (non-TAB), Gunnedah (non-TAB), Balranald (non-TAB), Ardlethan picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: *Scone, Orange
*Denotes Country Championships Wildcard