With the Country Championships kicking off at Grafton on Saturday with the running of the Northern Rivers qualifier, attention reverts to the South on Sunday, with Albury Racing Club hosting the $150,000 Southern Districts Racing Association qualifier over 1400m.
The Southern Districts provided their first winner in 2022, with Another One getting home for Gary Colvin, and it’s set to be another thrilling heat on Sunday.
NSW Country and Picnic Racing Editor Jeff Hanson has run his eye over the eight-race showcase program and Southern Districts qualifier and listed his major players and key contenders.
Southern Districts Racing Association qualifier
Date: Sunday, February 18
Location: Albury
Major player: Salute Again ($12). It might be the Danny Beasley factor, I don’t know, but I can’t look away from the Wagga galloper.
Trained by Wayne Carroll, the five-year-old won a 1400m Class Two Highway Handicap at Randwick in June and is a four-time winner from just 13 starts.
The Starspangledbanner gelding put away a small Open Handicap field in December and was freshened with this race in mind.
He was topped off with a run in town late last month, and from gate two, Salute Again looks to get into this race very nicely.
Key contenders: This race shapes to be one of the most open qualifiers, with bookmakers offering $5 the field.
Last year’s Southern Districts qualifier winner, Bianco Vilano ($5), who ran fourth in the final behind Sizzle Minizzle, comes in as the favourite, and with Craig Williams booked for the ride, there is a lot of confidence that he can go back-to-back for Ron Stubbs.
Stablemate and full brother Baledon (Foxwedge x Cap Bianco) is a $12 chance, and the four-time winner draws well with the inside while Jason Lyon takes the ride.
The Tim Donnelly-trained Cliff House ($8) can win this race. The five-year-old is a five-time winner from 11 starts, including a 1500m Class Three Highway Handicap at Royal Randwick in June and a 1600m TAB Federal at Canberra in October.
The Starcraft gelding has been spelled, and on fresh legs (3:1-1-0), he needs to be respected.
The Scott Spackman-trained Rocket Tiger ($7.50) is capable on his best form, and both the Kym Davison-trained Canny Hell ($7.50) and Doug Gorrel-trained Asgarda ($6) are in-form and have their supporters.
Still, the value play could be the Kerry Weir-trained Laurel Hill ($23).
The Tumut mare has been racing without luck, and with Jack Martin in the saddle, she looks primed to feature in a race like this.
Our tips: 3-16-1-2
Why get to Albury: The club will have ‘The Champions Deck’, a $59 ticket that includes reserved seating on the shaded Champions Deck, substantial canapes, an exclusive bar, and two standard drink vouchers.
There’s the Sunday Session in the beer garden, food vendors, and Sonic Loader and The Other Two performing at 1 pm and 4 pm, respectively.
Add to that Corowa Whisky & Chocolate tasting, Buller wine tasting, TAB Time Trials with a $500 Prize, and a photo Booth to capture some funny moments.
For more on the day, click here.
For more on the Country Championships, click here.
