Acceptances have been announced for the first glimpse of what this year's Country Championships series will behold with five local runners up for the test.
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While a combined total of 26 runners from seven of the Mid-Western Region's trainers will run at Dubbo over the weekend, only a handful look forward to race seven, a sample of the best racing has to offer.
The Country Championship Preview Class 4 Handicap (1300 metres) will witness the ever impressive Brett Thompson-trained Larynx who's recent form includes a second place of 14 at Forbes late last month.
Gayna Williams' Bad Boy For Love will also contest for the $22,000 prize pool alongside fellow Williams-trained Healing Hands who has drawn favourable barrier four.
Prince of Thebes will also race in the preview for the Cameron Crockett stables as will David J Smith's five-year-old gelding Captain Jimmy against Asudem (Luke A Thomas, Muswellbrook) who has won two of its last starts.
Although knocked back as a contender in the highlight race, Mack Griffith's (Mudgee) Scottish Soldier has been booked for the Racing NSW Country Only Maiden Handicap (1400 metres) and will run against Kazumi (Mark Milton, Mudgee).
Pat Donoghues Birthday Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600 metres) will feature Ross Lomax's (Mudgee) six-year-old Just Schillin' who returned from a 25 week spell in December, as well as Mack Griffith's Vineyard, Thompson-trained Slatey Bay and The Scotsman (David J Smith).
Lomax's Prince Zariz will back up a his latest performance from Bathurst with a run in the Wayne Mallison's Painting And Decorating Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300 metres) against Thompson's Denace, Williams' Lawnmeet and Crockett's In A Spring.
The first heat of the eight field meet will jump at 1.20pm at the Dubbo Race Club, with the Country Championship Preview at 5.05pm.
Mudgee will host the Central Districts leg of the Country Championships on March 1 ahead of the Hunter and North West installment at Tamworth on March 8, a day after the Charity Shield clash on February 29 at Glen Willow Sporting Complex.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
