Racing NSW revealed the conditions for the series last week where class five horses with no more than 21 starts will be eligible for the $100,000 Country Championship heat at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on March 15.

The first two horses home will qualify for the $300,000 Country Championship Final on the first day of The Championships at Randwick on April 4.

Both races will be over 1400 metres.

Southern District trainers have endorsed the conditions.

The conditions rule out Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly's two best horses, Devised and Jo Jo Girl, but he can see merit in the ruling.

"I didn't agree initially but in the end it's probably not a bad idea," Donnelly said.

"If it was an open there would be a lot of horses high up in the ratings past their best that would probably go in as 100-1 chances.

"So it's probably the right thing."

Wagga trainer Wayne Carroll, who is the region's representative on the NSW Trainer's Association (NSWTA), has no problems with the conditions.

"They had to draw a line in the sand somewhere," Carroll said.

"They've tried to make it for up and coming horses and this year that's going to suit some and next year it might suit others.

"I'm quite happy with it."

Two-time SDRA premiership-winning trainer Trevor Sutherland said it will not change his approach to the race.

"It is what it is," Sutherland said.

"It's black and white, it will suit some and not suit others.

"That's the rules and it doesn't really worry me.

"I haven't really set anything for it and won't be changing any plans for it.

"If they're there and available at the time, we'll go for it."

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WAGGA trainer Wayne Carroll wants the Country Championships series to be strictly for country jockeys.

Carroll is the Southern NSW representative on the NSW Trainer's Association (NSWTA) and plans on raising the idea at the next meeting.

Carroll said given the series is for country horses only, it makes sense to include jockeys.

"I think they should make it purely for country jockeys as well," Carroll said.

"Another trainer mentioned it to me the other day and I think it makes sense.

"It gives them a chance to win some money as well."

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COOTAMUNDRA Turf Club is ready to go for it's big day.

The $20,000 Darley Cootamundra Cup (1600m) is the highlight of Sunday's meeting and the club received 20 nominations for the feature race.

Street Ride will be out to claim back-to-back Cup victories, while others among the nominations include Nat King Cu, Al Ahmar, Landlocked, Final Jest, Gunner and Casual Zariz.

The seven-race card received 137 nominations in total with entries extended for the $17,000 Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m) until 11am today.

A $5000 bonus is on offer for any trainer that can capture the Cup, plus two other races.

If that is not claimed, a $2000 prize will be awarded for the leading trainer on the day.

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A GOOD crowd is expected to turn out for Wagga's picnic races on Saturday.

The meeting was changed to a full professional meeting with great success last year and Wagga Amateur Picnic Race Club will donate its proceeds of the race day to Country Hope, which over the last 11 years is more than $330,000.

Murrumbidgee Turf Club has received 102 nominations for the six-race card.

The feature is the $10,000 Rundles Auctions 2014 Wagga Picnic Cup - Benchmark 60 Handicap (2000m) where Aribaa, He's A Chance and Traded are among the nominations.

Several of the races on the day look extremely competitive off the nominations. Final fields will be released after 9am tomorrow.

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A CALCUTTA for the Wagga picnic meeting will be held on Friday night for the first time.

A calcutta will be held on both the Wagga Picnic Cup and the Epsom Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.

Doors open from 6pm at the Members Lounge with tickets available at the door.

Murrumbidgee Turf Club chief executive Scott Sanbrook hopes plenty of people come along.

"The event is open to everyone, you don't have to be a picnics or MTC member to enjoy it," Sanbrook said.

Snack foods and refreshments will be available.

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MURRUMBIDGEE Turf Club has introduced another feature race to its Melbourne Cup day programme.

At this year's Melbourne Cup day meeting, MTC will unveil the Bragger Cup.

The race is a Class Three Handicap over 1400 metres, for horses that have not won in the past 12 months.

MTC will still conduct the Mountaineer Cup over 3200 metres, and the Silver Spoon for greys.

Bragger was TJ Smith's first feature winner that helped launch his legendary career.

Bragger won his first feature at Wagga when taking out the Wagga Diggers Cup in 1942.

It replaced the Wagga Cup that year due to World War II.

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ALBURY Racing Club has made a number of changes to its committee.

The club held its annual general meeting last Monday week, September 22.

There were four vacancies on the committee due to the death of Stephen Baxter in December, Russell Mathews and Paul Spencer's decision to step down , while Richard Hickey stepped down last year and the vacancy was not filled.

There were four nominations so no election was required.

Albury Racing Club welcomed Glenn Chapman, Wayne Matsinos, Ann McHardy and Rod Mullavey onto the new-look committee.

It comes after the recent appointment of Aidan Kilroy as racecourse manager.

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BERRIGAN trainer Emma Steel continued her successful season with a winner at Bendigo last Wednesday.

Well-performed mare Its Poets Day backed up her win at Wangaratta with victory in the $30,000 Showcase Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

Jockey Jake Duffy got Its Poets Day over the line in a close finish at odds of $25.60.

It took Its Poets Day's career earnings to $160,000 and continued a great run for Steel.

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ALBURY Racing Club and Murrumbidgee Turf Club will be up for the top gong at Racing NSW's Country and Provincial awards night on Friday.

The Albury and Wagga clubs are up for Country TAB Race Club of the Year.

Albury trainer Brett Cavanough is also up for Country Trainer of the Year.

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WAGGA Gold Cup campaigner Devised is back in work for Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly.

Donnelly is going to aim Devised, all going well, for a first-up crack at the Ted Ryder Cup (1600m) at Murrumbidgee Turf Club in December.

Meantime, promising staying prospect Grand Allowance is currently in Victoria getting trained on the water walker for a few weeks.

He will then return to the Wayne Carroll stable where he will be in line for some barrier work before a trial and hopefully a short yet successful campaign.

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What's On

Racing

Saturday: Wagga (TAB)

Sunday: Cootamundra (TAB)

Harness Racing

Wednesday: Temora (TAB)