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By Mark Brassel

This Friday and next Sunday represents the final throw of the dice for connections of horses desperately trying to gain a ticket into the $1 million Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick on April 5.

Scone Race Club is home to Friday’s Northern Wildcard (1400m) and two days later Goulburn District Race Club will stage the Southern Wildcard (1400m), with both races offering $150,000 prizemoney and the last two spots for a place in the Final.

Goulburn’s CEO Robyn Fife said the countdown to the Country Championships is well and truly underway: “Our Showcase raceday features almost $400,000 in prizemoney across the card.

Associate (Zac Lloyd) finishes stoutly to claim last year's Southern Wildcard at Goulburn. Image by Bradley Photographers

“In the corresponding race last year Goulburn was able to cheer home one if its own when Danielle Seib’s Associate won the Southern Wildcard.

“Being part of the Country Championships series is an important milestone for our club and 2025 will be the third year we have partnered with Racing NSW to deliver the Southern Wildcard.

“We’ll also be running the [$30,000] Fred Cooper Cup recognising a legend that gave decades of dedicated service to our Club with roles such as President, Director and was known as the ‘Lord of the Lawnmower’.

“Fred was also awarded the first ever Racing NSW Simon Nivison Special Achievement Award for service to Country Racing.”

Ms Fife highlighted an important first-time partnership with Riding for the Disabled as part of the Southern Wildcard Raceday.

“Riding for the Disabled participants and volunteers will be joining us on track on the day with gate takings being donated to the local branch.

“Along with top shelf country racing there will be also numerous hospitality and trackside attractions including luncheon packages in the Winning Post Marquee and entertainment by DJ Amy James.

“We also have a Fashions on the Field and plenty of fun with complimentary children’s activities such as magicians, face painting and lolly bags.”

Meanwhile, Albury Racing Club will stage its Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup Carnival on Thursday and Friday.

Day one features the $75,000 Hutchinson Civil City Handicap (1175m) then it’s the big one on Friday with the $200,000 Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup (2000m) that’s a qualifying race for the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick in November.

“One of the big carrots on Cup Day is the Inglis Xtra Maiden (1175m) that not only carries $50,000 in prizemoney, but a further $100,000 bonus if the winner is an Inglis graduate from 2023 and beyond and paid up for the Inglis Race Series,” said ARC’s CEO, Steve Hetherton.

On Saturday, Narrandera Race Club will for the first time host their neighbours Ardlethan Picnic Race Club with their racecourse out of action.

“It’s the first time for over 70 years the track has been used at this time of year,” said NRC’s Racing Manager, Michael Bailey.

“The challenge we’ve put to our Narrandera supporters is to get to the races on Saturday and support the 500-plus Ardlethan racegoers that have already booked to attend the raceday.

“Buses will arrive from all over the region with six races headlined by the time-honoured Ardlethan Picnic Cup.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Taree
Thursday: Albury
Friday: Albury, Scone
Saturday: Lismore, Narrabri (non-TAB), Berrigan (non-TAB), Ardlethan picnics (non-TAB at Narrandera), Trangie (non-TAB)
Sunday: Goulburn, Orange