The legendary punter died peacefully on Sunday at Holbrook Hospital at age 89.

McLaurin was a life member of the SDRA, Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Albury Racing Club, Holbrook and District Race Club and the Victoria Racing Club.

McLaurin was also a finalist in the inaugural SDRA Racing Personality of the Year last season.

He was in attendance at this year's Wagga Gold Cup carnival.

McLaurin first attended a Wagga Gold Cup back in 1942 and only missed a "handful" over the next 72 years.

He described attending 66 consecutive Melbourne Cups as one of the highlights of his accomplished life.

He also very proud that Wagga bookmaker Tom Patton regarded him as the best judge of a horse in the Riverina.

SDRA and Albury Racing Club president David Wallace visited McLaurin last Friday and described him as "gentleman of all time".

"He was a delightful man," Wallace recalled yesterday.

"He was just a genius, a punter for 70 years that didn't get beat.

"When the districts had to rely on turnover, he kept the SDRA going almost single-handily.

"It's very sad and racing will certainly miss him."

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WAGGA sprinter Living On A Prayer enjoyed his maiden metropolitan victory at Doomben last Saturday.

Having his first start for Gold Coast trainer John Morrisey, Living On A Prayer got through the heavy conditions to take out the $50,000 Open Handicap (1200m) at Doomben.

Living On A Prayer ($6.50), ridden by apprentice Beau Appo, got up in photo finish over $3.80 chance Mr Favulous.

It continued a successful Queensland campaign after he took out the $75,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap at Townsville.

The win took Living On A Prayer's career earnings past the $200,000 mark.

Some of the connections were on hand at Doomben for the win.

Living On A Prayer is expected to have one more start in Queensland before returning for a Wagga Town Plate campaign.

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WAGGA jockey Andy Bloomfield has returned to track work following the nasty race fall at Murrumbidgee Turf Club last Friday.

Bloomfield suffered some general soreness but will return to race riding at Wodonga on Monday, followed by Wagga on Tuesday.

Canberra-based jockey Brendan Ward is set to spend the next six to eight weeks in a neck brace due to a fracture in his C2 vertebrae.

Canberra apprentice Carly Frater will undergo surgery in Sydney today for her broken collarbone.

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WANTABADGERY'S Tye Angland will return to the region on Tuesday.

Angland will be the special guest at Murrumbidgee Turf Club's race meeting.

The meeting will feature a jockey's challenge with the winner to receive $1000.

It was taken out by Jeff Penza last year.

MTC chief executive Scott Sanbrook is thrilled to have Angland at Tuesday's race meeting.

"It's wonderful, Tye's been in flying form since he returned to Australia," Sanbrook said.

"He's been highly sought after by leading trainers and I imagine that will be the case again next Tuesday."

Nominations for the race meeting close at 11am today.

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WAGGA staying mare Jo Jo Girl will back up at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jo Jo Girl went agonisingly close to a second metropolitan victory when beaten in a photo finish to the $85,000 Randwick City Mayor's Cup (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday.

Jo Jo Girl ($17.00) was edged out by Surpass, ridden by Brodie Loy, in the heavy conditions.

Jo Jo Girl will back up in Saturday's $85,000 Benchmark 80 Handicap (2400m).

It will be her last run before a spell.

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VICTORIAN apprentice Ben Thompson is set to join the Southern District riding ranks.

Thompson will ride at Wodonga on Monday and then link with Wagga trainer Gary Colvin after that on a three-month loan.

Thompson is apprenticed to Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent and is the son of leading greyhound trainer Jason Thompson.

The teen made the perfect start to his racing career with a winner on his first day of riding at Kilmore back in May.

Kent has sent him to Colvin in a bid to get more experience.

He will ride Texan Son for Colvin at Wagga on Tuesday.

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SMART Wagga debut winner Luxembourg sold for $41,000 at Inglis' August Thoroughbred Sale in Melbourne last Friday.

Luxembourg backed up two trial victories with a strong win at Wagga on debut on August 8 for trainer Tim Donnelly and Gundagai owner Mike Green.

They chose to put the horse to auction and it resulted in him being purchased for $41,000 by Henry Dwyer Racing and Boom Racing.

Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland was amongst the action at the sales, picking up two new horses.

Sutherland purchased Lord Buck for $10,000 and Mr Sommerville for $14,000.

Lord Buck is a five-year-old maiden that has a fourth placing at Caulfield to his name when with trainer Jason Warren.

Mr Sommerville has two wins and four placings to his name from 14 starts and has placed at Moonee Valley.

He arrives from the John Sadler stable and will be raced by similar connections to that of My Dear Friend.

Former France winner Aribaa has also joined the Sutherland stable after being purchased by client Surreal Park for $24,000 on Friday.

A stayer, Aribaa more recently raced under the care of Flemington trainer Mark Kavanagh.

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SOUTHERN District chairman of stewards John Davidson is seeking expressions of interest for some race day positions.

Davidson wants to hear from anyone who may be interested in any race-day roles that could become available in the near future.

Location is not an issue as long as they live in the Riverina.

An interest in racing would be an advantage.

Interested persons should email Davidson at jdavidson@racingnsw.com.au.

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MURRUMBIDGEE Turf Club (MTC) and Albury Racing Club have again been named finalists for the Country TAB Race Club of the year.

Racing NSW announced its finalists for the 2014 Country and Provincial Racing Awards that will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney on Friday, October 3.

MTC and Albury Racing Club will go up against Scone Race Club and Moruya Jockey Club for the major gong.

Albury trainer Brett Cavanough is one of four finalists for Country Trainer of the Year.

Southern District premiership winner Brendan Ward is also one of four finalists for Country Jockey of the Year.

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MURRUMBIDGEE Turf Club will hold a special function in conjunction with hosting the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour next week.

Tour ambassador Bryan Martin, regarded as one of the best racecallers Australia has produced, will be among the guest speakers at the event on Saturday, September 6.

Well-known Wagga trainer Dave Heywood will give an insight to his Melbourne Cup experience when he rode in Australia's greatest race as a 15-year-old.

Valued at $175,000, the 18-carat gold Emirates Melbourne Cup will be on display at the function.

Tickets cost $30 - which includes finger food and a complimentary beverage - can be purchased from the MTC on 6921 2151 up until September 5..

The event will culminate a fun-filled day at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

From 11.15am to 3pm on September 6 the MTC will conduct a community event at the Wagga track, with a band and tons of children's entertainment complementing the official duties surrounding the Cup tour.

Metropolitan races will be shown on the big screen and punters can have a flutter with a bookmaker on course.

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ONE of country racing's most enduring sponsorship programs is celebrating a 20-year milestone.

The Murrumbidgee Turf Club's 100 Club for 2015 will be launched on Friday night.

"This is the 20th year of the 100 Club, which is testimony to the concept's popularity," MTC promotions manager Michelle Blacklock said.

Featuring a gala dinner and draw in February, the 100 Club provides businesses with the chance to win exclusive naming rights to the $140,000 Wagga Gold Cup.

All businesses - whether they have participated previously or not - are welcome to attend the launch.

Those interested should call Ms Blacklock on 6921 2151 or email michelle@mtcwagga.com.au by 3pm today.

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What's On

Racing

Saturday: Berrigan (non-TAB)

Tuesday: Wagga (TAB)

Harness racing

Friday: Wagga (TAB)

Saturday: Young (TAB)