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Taree’s Manning Valley Race Club has stepped up to the plate and will host this year’s $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup on Friday.
Taree is just an hour's drive from Port Macquarie as that course undergoes restorations with the Club hopeful of resuming racing in April next year.
"Manning Valley Race Club is very appreciative of both Port Macquarie Race Club and Racing NSW for entrusting us with the 2023 Port Macquarie Cup," said Damien Toose, CEO of MVRC.
"Racing is a gift that is shared among all industry participants and supporters no matter where they live in New South Wales.
"So even though this year's Port Cup isn't being run at its usual home, we are asking patrons to not use that as a reason not to come along and have an enjoyable day watching one of the last chances to qualify for the Big Dance.
"There will be our full bar and bistro with the option of purchasing a two-course luncheon package with a reserved seat in the Winning Post Function Centre.
"Added to that we'll have TAB and bookmaker facilities so come on out and make a great start to the weekend."
The Port Macquarie Cup is one of the final qualifying races for the $3 million Big Dance run at Royal Randwick on Tuesday 7 November.
The Chris Waller stable will be shooting for three straight Port Cups having won last year with Quality Time and the previous year with Our Intrigue.
Waller has already nominated three horses: Kukeracha, Special Swey and No Compromise.
Port Macquarie Race Club will be operating a bus from Settlers Inn to Taree races and return for only $25 per person.
Saturday will see the return of Young-Burrangong picnic races.
"We will have plenty of entertainment with a live band, the Kirk and Co Fashions on the Field, kids' face painting and a jumping castle," said Nick Duff, president of the Race Club.
"It is a six-race program with buses to and from the Australian Hotel and tickets are available from trybooking.com."
On Sunday is another Big Dance qualifier with Coonamble Cup Day kicking off proceedings on Saturday with a Cup Calcutta from 7pm at the Terminus Hotel.
"It's a Country Showcase meeting with $387,000 in prizemoney and the winner and second horse in our $75,000 Cup are eligible for the Big Dance," said Ana Robson, secretary of Coonamble Jockey Club.
"We will also have a Fashions on the Field with our major sponsors Geronimo New Holland.
"The main supporting races are the [$37,000] Crystal Sprint sponsored by the Keady Family and one of the Country Boosted races sponsored by the Nalder Family."
Meanwhile, a Country Championships contender emerged from Grafton this week when Fairway Choice steamed home to score at Grafton on Tuesday.
Murwillumbah trainer David Mccolm already has a leading contender in the $2m The Kosciuszko with the talented Far Too Easy receiving a slot in the race on 14 October.
Stablemate Fairway Choice was having just her third start at Grafton and came home powerfully to win her second race.
"She will now have a three-week break with the Country Championships a definite possibility," McColm said. "She is a very smart galloper and will have the freshen up before we go down that path."
Jockey Ben Looker was also a fan: "She is still learning what it's all about but has a remarkable turn of foot and will be winning more races."
UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Goulburn
Friday: Taree (Port Macquarie Cup)
Saturday: Albury, Collarenebri (non-TAB), Young picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonamble Cup
