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By Mark Brassel

Two cracking Country Showcase racedays this Sunday sees a massive $620,000 in prizemoney up for grabs with the Taree and Queanbeyan Gold Cups to be decided.

The $100K Stacks Law Firm Taree Gold Cup (2000m) is the feature of the eight-race TAB program supported by the $35K Manning Lightning Handicap (1000m).

There'll be some excellent racing action at Taree next Sunday

Manning Valley Race Club’s CEO, Jack Penfold said: “Big Sports Breakfast’s Dave Stanley and Luke Marlow will be special guests at the races, and they will also be hosting the Taree Gold Cup Calcutta at Manning River Hotel on Saturday night.”

Local galloper Charmmebaby won last year’s Taree Cup before going on to claim two Stakes races in Brisbane.

Taree’s race card carries $345K in prizemoney while Queanbeyan Racing Club will offer $275K for its eight-race program headed by the $45K Queanbeyan Showcase Cup (2000m) and the $35K Thunderbolt Showcase Handicap (1000m).

Two hours north of Taree is Bowraville and they will host the Geoff King Motors Macksville Cup meeting on Saturday.

Nambucca River Jockey Club’s secretary/manager, Geoff Harris said: “Our track is in excellent condition and a great day’s racing is anticipated.

“All the usual facilities will be operating on the day including food and beverage outlets along with the TAB and local bookmakers.

“We’ve had considerable interest in this day and a large number of attendees is anticipated.”

Meanwhile, Murrumbidgee Turf Club announced a profit from the latest financial year. MTC’s president, Geoff Harrison told Matt Malone from the Wagga Advertiser: “A record-breaking Wagga Gold Cup Carnival helped the club deliver an outstanding result after COVID-enforced lockdowns affected betting turnover early in the year.

“The club’s record-breaking 2022 Town Plate and Gold Cup Days were profitable as well as Aggies Day, Xmas Party, Ted Ryder, Kooringal Stud Prelude and the Country Championships Days were able to underpin a huge result.”

And during the week it was sad to learn of the passing of former top country jockey Reg Paine who died aged 86, having suffered poor health during the past year. Reg initially lived in Kempsey and Coffs Harbour before moving to Randwick where he was apprenticed to trainer Bert Bellingham.

Reg Paine rode 1038 winners including three Bathurst Cup winners and numerous other country cups including the nearby Orange Cup.

“Dad would divide his riding in those days around the various regions like Dubbo, Canberra, Bathurst and Wagga - he won many of those regional premierships,” said son Neil Paine, who is raceday manager for the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott stable.

“Dad also rode a mountain of winners at Cowra and was on the Cowra Jockey Committee for more than 20 years. He was a man of his word and was held in high regard by fellow jockeys and all owners and trainers that met him. He will be sadly missed by many.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Scone
Thursday: Quirindi
Friday: Grafton, Orange
Saturday: Inverell, Bowraville (non-TAB), Cowra (non-TAB), Adaminaby (non-TAB), Hay (non-TAB)
Sunday: Taree, Queanbeyan