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By Mark Brassel

The Muswellbrook race meeting on Friday bears special significance to ANZAC Day with the feature event called the Lone Pine Charge.

The unique trophy for the $35,000 Lone Pine Charge is an 18-pounder artillery round mounted on specific wood commemorating the ANZACs ‘Battle of Lone Pine’ during August 1915.

Muswellbrook's unique Lone Pine Charge perpetual trophy - an 18-pounder artillery round

The trophy’s base is Cypress Pine, an Australasian native timber, along with Olivewood which is the national wood of Turkey.

Seeds from the original Lone Pine have been planted throughout Australia and New Zealand with one seed planted at Muswellbrook’s Cenotaph.

“Muswellbrook Race Club is proud to be honouring ANZACs with our popular Lone Pine Charge Raceday,” said Trevor Taylor, MRC’s general manager.

“It is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting with $270,000 in prizemoney.

“We also have some great entertainment with the band Happy Dayz playing in the beautiful gardens and great food, so it is the place to be on Friday.”

The Club has a great $40 deal with entry to the course and Silks Members Area, racebook, free drink, choice of fish & chips or quiche & chips, and transport to and from the course (local shire residents).

Other supporting races are the $35,000 Showcase Star Kingdom, $35,000 Showcase Miss Finland, $35,000 Godolphin Tiara and the $30,000 Showcase Jerry’s Plains Cup,

Sapphire Coast kicks off ANZAC Day early with their Merimbula RSL Club ANZAC Raceday tomorrow.

Gates open at midday for the seven-race TAB meeting boasting $195,000 in prizemoney.

“We’ll have a TAB, bars, a kiosk and bookmakers with free buses to and from the track,” said Jess O’Donnell, SCTC’s sponsorship & marketing manager.

“Locations and pick-up times are on our website - sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au

“The meeting is proudly sponsored by Merimbula RSL Club, Greenway Turf Solutions, ILG, and Sapphire Cellars.”

The meeting also marks the reappearance of impressive filly Forty Four Cubits who is unbeaten after making her debut at Wagga three weeks ago.

Prepared by Keith Dryden, the three-year-old was heavily backed and powered away to score for James Innes Jnr who retains the ride in the Liquor Legends Country Boosted Handicap (1008m).

“She won with authority and has the makings of a really nice filly,” Dryden said. “We’re expecting her to perform well again at the Sapphire Coast.”

Innes will also ride stablemate Lockup the Kittens in the Independent Liquor Group Handicap (1208m).

The gelding is also a last start winner at Canberra with Dryden adding: “He’s honest and has drawn the inside barrier so should prove hard to beat again.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Sapphire Coast, Coffs Harbour
Tuesday (ANZAC Day): Bathurst, Kempsey (non-TAB), Armidale (non-TAB), Deniliquin (non-TAB), Murwillumbah (non-TAB), Nyngan (non-TAB)
Friday: Albury, Muswellbrook
Saturday: Queanbeyan, Binnaway (non-TAB), Boorowa picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Goulburn, Grafton