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By Mark Brassel

All aboard the Newhaven Park Country Championships ‘train’ as it reaches the end of the line at Goulburn on Sunday.

After seven regional qualifiers and the Northern Wildcard (on Friday), the focus is on Goulburn’s $150,000 Southern Wildcard (1400m) – the last chance for horses to qualify for the $1 million Country Championships Final (1400m) run at Royal Randwick 13 days later.

It’s Goulburn Race Club’s second Southern Wildcard having hosted last year’s race taken out by I’ve Bean Tryin’ who went on to finish a creditable third to Sizzle Minizzle in the Final.

GRC’s CEO, Robyn Fife said the Club is keen to build on the success of the inaugural 2023 Southern Wildcard Raceday.

“We had a large crowd and a smart vibe complementing a thrilling finish in the Southern Wildcard last year,” Ms Fife said.

“The Southern Wildcard enters its second year with the event now firmly entrenched as one of Goulburn Race Club’s feature meetings on the racing calendar.”

Ms Fife also highlighted some of the great hospitality options on offer for locals and visitors keen to get trackside.

“The Precinct is an exciting and exclusive outdoor area for younger racegoers; the ticket includes a food voucher, three drink vouchers and racetrack entry, along with live entertainment and premium viewing of the mounting yard and racetrack.

“We will also have a TAB, bar, food stalls, bookmakers and a keen Fashions on the Field contest.”

Luckless Braidwood galloper Bon Frankie has been entered for the Southern Wildcard by trainer Aaron Clarke in an endeavour to qualify for the Final.

The five-year-old won a TAB Highway at Rosehill Gardens three starts back but has had little luck since having finished a close third in a Canberra Federal.

Last start Bon Frankie was the closest of thirds (half a length and a short head) behind the Danny Williams-trained pair of Bandi’s Boy and Atmospheric Rock in the South East qualifier at Moruya, thus missing out on qualifying by millimetres.

Meanwhile, Albury Racing Club will stage its Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup Carnival on Thursday and Friday.

Day one features the $75,000 Hutchinson Civil City Handicap (1175m) and $50,000 Baxters Concrete Albury Mile (1600m).

Then it’s the big one on Friday with the $200,000 Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup (2000m) that’s a qualifying race for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) run at Royal Randwick in November.

The Annabel Neasham stable looks like being well represented in the Albury Cup with entries including Fawkner Park, Bois D’argent, Hopeful, Redstone Well and Regal Lion.

The main supporting races on Friday are the $80,000 Jayco Albury Guineas (1400m) and the $75,000 Naughtin Development Group Flat Knacker (900m).

ARC has a range of hospitality packages on offer including the Pavilion, Trackside Marquees, the Grandstand Terrace and the Trackside Club which is an all-inclusive party zone with a buffet luncheon and beverage package.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Kempsey, Armidale
Thursday: Albury
Friday: Albury, Scone
Saturday: Lismore, Sapphire Coast, Narrabri (non-TAB), Trangie (non-TAB), Tullibigeal picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Goulburn, Orange