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By Mark Brassel

Taree trainer Tony Ball will be hoping lightning can strike twice when he heads to the big Phillip Hughes Memorial Raceday at Bowraville on Tuesday.

Ball took three runners to the last Bowraville race meeting on November 20 and came away with a perfect record.

He ran 1-2 in the opening race with Threepoint Missile winning from Ready to Chase before his only other runner Stella Reale captured the Macksville Cup.

On Tuesday he will be represented by last-start Taree winner Adamdeeant in the feature event, the Macksville & District Ex-Services Club Phillip Hughes Memorial Flying Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).

His other runners are Threepoint Missile (Nambucca RSL Club Benchmark 50 Handicap, 1000m) and Haunting Spirit and Stella Reale in the Bowra Hotel Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1370m.

The main race honours the former Australian test cricketer who tragically died at the SCG in 2014 when struck by a cricket ball.

“Phillip was born at nearby Macksville to his banana farmer father and regularly made the 15km trek to Bowraville races,” explained Geoff Harris, Secretary of Nambucca River Jockey Club.

“Most locals know Phillip attended the course regularly and he just loved to join his local mates for a relaxed day out when he did not have cricket commitments.

“We are keen to maintain this event in Phillip’s memory and to continue the tradition of comradery and friendship that traditionally happens at this time of the year.

“The raceday has been moved from Boxing Day to two days later for the first time in years.

“This meeting has always been a catch up gathering for people returning to the area for the holiday season and there could be no better venue than Bowraville Racetrack.

“Our club is delighted to confirm we will again partner with Macksville Ex-Services Club to run this six-race event.

“Gates open at 11am for the Sky 2 TAB program with corporate packages still available and free buses operating from Stuarts Point, Scotts Head, Macksville and Nambucca Heads.

“The day is sponsored by Macksville & District Ex-Services Club in association with Macksville Junior Cricket, Nambucca Heads RSL Club, XXXX Gold, Valla Beach Tavern, Soulitude Health and the Bowra Hotel.”

Shoalhaven City Turf Club races at Nowra on New Year’s Eve, with five country race meetings on New Year’s Day – Inverell, Port Macquarie, Gilgandra, Tamworth (non-TAB) and Gundagai (non-TAB).

Inverell’s two-day carnival kicks off today with the feature the Inverell Sporties Goodwood Cup, followed by next Saturday’s Racing NSW Country Showcase Inverell Cup Day boasting $255,000 in prizemoney.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Sapphire Coast, Murwillumbah
Tuesday: Bowraville, Corowa, Orange
Thursday: Coffs Harbour
Friday: Nowra
Saturday: Inverell, Port Macquarie, Gilgandra, Tamworth (non-TAB), Gundagai (non-TAB)
Sunday: Ballina, Gilgandra