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By Mark Brassel

Grafton’s XXXX July Racing Carnival, one of NSW’s biggest country racing carnivals with a long and rich history, kicks off next Sunday.

Clarence River Jockey Club will stage five meetings in 15 days commencing with next weekend’s Kensei Club Community Prelude Raceday.

Leah Kilner holds up the 2023 Ramornie trophy won by The Big Goodbye. Leah [a Grafton girl] was seriously injured in a fall two years ago and now works for winning trainer Rob Heathcote. Image from Clarence River Jockey Club

One of the two feature races on the day is the $30,000 John Carlton Quality (1175m) with the winner exempt from ballot in the $200,000 Grafton District Services Club Ramornie Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday 17 July.

And winner of the $30,000 Grafton Cup Prelude (2200m) gains automatic entry to the $200,000 Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday 18 July.

The following Sunday (14 July) is Grafton Toyota South Grafton Cup Day with the highlight the $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1600m) where the victor qualifies for the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

On another note, don’t miss out on your chance to win a slot in the 2024 The Kosciuszko with $5 tickets going on sale tomorrow!

NSW residents can purchase sweepstakes tickets via the TAB App, local pubs, clubs, TAB agencies and at NSW race meetings.

Meanwhile, one of the Western Plains social events of the year is Nyngan Toyota Duck Creek picnic races at Nyngan Racecourse on Saturday.

“Come and enjoy a day of country racing at its best at Duck Creek Picnic Race Club,” said Club President, Rowen Cleaver.

“We strive to maintain the family orientated atmosphere of the day which is very long-standing tradition.

“Over the years we have had very generous support from our many sponsors which has helped greatly in attracting strong fields and we appreciate their backing immensely.

“The Club provides a range of entertainment scheduled for raceday including a TAB and bookmakers covering all meetings. The Club also runs a full bar and food is available from multiple vendors.

“And there is the elegance of the Three Rivers Duck Pond Luncheon with catering by Eat Your Greens, cocktails available by Josephines drinks and live tunes by Billy Hutton.”

After the last race a concert by Furnace and the Fundamentals will bring the day and night to a close having played last year to a packed crowd.

The band travels around the world and sells out in most locations, being billed as musical chameleons with a sense of humour, tight, energetic and engaging.

“Last year they crowd surfed, sang for hours without drawing breath and had the mosh pit pumping,” said Cleaver.

“There’s also a courtesy bus running from 11.30am through to the end of the concert for a small donation.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Corowa, Gunnedah
Friday: Tamworth, Goulburn
Saturday: Coffs Harbour, Mungindi (non-TAB), Duck Creek picnics (at Nyngan, non-TAB)
Sunday: Mudgee, Grafton