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By Ray Hickson

James McDonald and Hugh Bowman - two of the biggest names in Australian racing - are headed west for Coonamble’s Newhaven Park Country Championships meeting next Sunday in a major boost for the club and country racing.

While Bowman is no stranger to supporting the Country Championships, he rode a winner at Mudgee’s feature meeting last week, McDonald – Sydney’s reigning premier jockey - adds his name to the growing list of Sydney jockeys supporting the concept.

Not only does it add to the local interest in the meeting, as country racegoers have the chance to see the best in the land up close in their own back yard, it has the potential to generate nationwide exposure.

“It’s just a buzz, we’ve got to thank the jockeys for making an effort,’’ Coonamble Jockey Club chairman Ken Waterford said.

Star jockeys Hugh Bowman and James McDonald will be in action at Coonamble's Newhaven Park Country Championships meeting on March 13.

“And once they come it’ll be easier next time. It’ll really make our turnover bigger, that and having 10 races.

“The local community is excited about seeing those blokes out here. It’s going to lift the racing out west up a bit. They’re all talking about it, they’re saying ‘Ken how did you get them there’!

“Hughie’s been here before, he comes from this area, but I don’t know how we jagged JMac.”

It was Bowman who last year commented on how work on the Coonamble track had transformed the course into one of the best country tracks in the state.

Waterford said even more time and money has been spent on ensuring the surface is in perfect condition to hold the biggest race meeting, both in race number and prizemoney, the club has seen.

“The track is immaculate, Hugh Bowman rode on it last year and said it was as good a track as he’s ridden on,’’ he said.

“We’ve put another 1700m of turn down and the track looks unbelievable.”

Bowman will ride Amulet Street for Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm in the $150,000 Newhaven Park Western District Country Championships (1400m) while McDonald will likely partner a stablemate.

Lundholm could have up to five runners headed by last year’s winner Activation who is out to emulate Southern Districts winner Another One and record back-to-back Country Championships.

The former Godolphin galloper Amulet Street warmed up for the $150,000 race with a barrier trial win at Dubbo on Friday that featured several Country Championships hopefuls.

He was purchased specifically to be aimed at the Championships and Lundholm confirmed Ferus and Watch Me Rumble as starters while Avalicious is a possible runner.

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