Image – Bradley Photos.
Moree Race Club will create history on Sunday when hosting the inaugural Country Super Maiden.
As expected, the $50,000 Maiden Handicap (950m), which has $22,000 on offer to the winner, was well-supported by trainers and owners, with the race attracting a capacity field of 14 country gallopers and four emergencies.
Announced by Racing NSW in July, the Country Super Maidens are set to ‘charm regional fans’ at 65 country TAB meetings throughout the season as part of the Super Maiden program that will infuse an extra $6.5 million per annum in prizemoney into the NSW racing industry.
These races complement the Metropolitan Super Maidens, which will headline midweek metropolitan programs featuring a remarkable $100,000 prize money.
Provincial Super Maidens will also captivate with two weekly races, offering an enticing $60,000 purse.
Scone trainer Lou Mary will start his $16 chance Pick ‘N’ Stick (Jake Pracey-Holmes) in Sunday’s Country Super Maiden, and the in-form trainer was a big fan of the concept and the opportunity to make a good return on investment.
“It’s a great opportunity for an owner to make some money back first-up,” Mary said.
“Even if you don’t win, there is some great prizemoney to be won, and I think it’s a great idea to jump on this sort of opportunity.”
Wayne Oakenfull is racing at Moree on Sunday, with Zaidin (Mikayla Weir) first-up in the Moree Town Plate, while recent Gwydir Handicap winner Aytobe (Matthew Palmer) will go around as one of the major players in the $55,000 Moree Cup.
While he doesn’t have a runner in the maiden, Oakenfull wishes he did, as he is a big fan of the Super Maiden concept.
“I think it is a fantastic idea,” Oakenfull said.
“It costs a lot of money to buy a horse and get it ready, and this is a bit of a chance for owners to get a bit of their money back.”
Oakenfull, who trains out of Inverell, was pleased to see the first Super Maiden hosted by a club that offers much to the Moree community and North West racing fraternity.
“It’s fantastic for racing, and what a day to kick it off with the running of the Moree Cup and Town Plate,” Oakenfull said.
“Rob Mather and the Moree Race Club committee do a great job, and they always help out if we get a bit wet at Inverell, and they welcome us to work our horses all the time, so I’m happy to see them getting this chance.”
The Moree Country Super Maiden adds to a big weekend for Moree Race Club.
For more on tonight’s Charity Dinner and tomorrow’s Moree Cup program, click here.
For Moree fields, click here.
