Goulburn District Race Club has received further recognition of its high regard within the racing industry with confirmation that the Tablelands club will again host a leg of the prestigious “Country Championships” series in 2018.
Racing NSW recently announced the full schedule for “The Championships” in 2018 which includes a country series culminating in a grand final as part of “The Championships” at Royal Randwick on Saturday 7th April.
Goulburn’s heat of the Country Championships series will be held on Saturday 24th February 2018 making it the second event in the seven- heat series.
The “yellow brick road” to the final at Royal Randwick via a qualifying heat such as that being held by Goulburn is even more lucrative in 2018.
Racing NSW Chief Executive Mr Peter V’landys AM, recently announced a prizemoney increase of $100 000 for this year’s final.
“The Country Championships excites all country participants and racegoers and is an important aspirational target for country racing. The increase in prizemoney for the Final to $500,000 will further strengthen the series,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.
Goulburn District Race Club not only hosted its own country championship heat in 2017 but also came to the rescue of provincial race club Kembla Grange, after its heat of the provincial championships was moved to Goulburn due to a rain affected track.
Goulburn District Race Club Secretary Manager, Ms Robyn Fife said the club and its directors were thrilled with confirmation of their inclusion in “The Championships” concept once again in 2018.
“The Championships as an event carries a lot of prestige in the racing industry as a whole and we are thrilled to host an integral country qualifying heat worth $150 000,” Ms Fife said.
“Our inclusion as a venue for hosting a leg of the Country Championships series also reaffirms our status with Racing NSW and industry participants as a premier racing facility.”
“The event brings the spotlight and attention that goes with “The Championships” to Goulburn and also encourages out of area visitors to our venue.”
“It is also a great opportunity for local trainers to qualify a horse in the prestigious Country Championships Final which is now worth half a million dollars.”
