LOOKING after the wider racing community should have been the aim of the $1 million in prizemoney associated with the Country Championship, according to Wagga trainer Dave Heywood.

Heywood believes the race series, which will have seven heats across NSW racing districts, only caters to a select few.

Instead, the experienced trainer would have liked to have seen the funds go towards increased prizemoney across the state, which would give more people a chance grab a slice of the pie.

"They are spending $1 million on this series - $700,000 for the seven heats over NSW plus $300,000 for the final - then they've put a class five so they've left a lot of owners out," he said.

"This money is supposed to be for owners, trainers and jockeys not the class of horse.

"I think it would be a lot better with the $1 million they are going to spend is spread over prizemoney than a one-off championship."

Heywood believes the race series concept was a reaction to The Championships last season, when Sydney's Autumn Carnival was revamped with $18 million in stakes money on offer.

But he can't see the series, which culminates with a final on the first day of The Championships at Randwick on April 4, helping the majority of people in the multi-million dollar industry.

"It's only going to help a minority of the racing game," he said.

"Owners are doing it pretty tough in the bush, and probably the city too, it just seems to me that its been put on for a minority.

"They can only benefit if you run first or second, they might give prizemoney down to 10th or last - I'm not sure - but the big money, the $300,000 at Randwick, is only put on for two horses in the seven lots in country NSW which is 14 runners."

Heywood was planning to set Living On A Prayer and Calke Abbey for the race, but after the conditions were released by Racing NSW last week is considering changing tack.

With 10 wins, including victories in the $75,000 Cleveland Bay Open Handicap at Townsville and the $50,000 Queensland X-Ray Open Handicap this year, Living On A Prayer is ineligible.

While Calke Abbey remains eligible, the conditions restricting nminations for the $100,000 heat at Murrumbidgee Turf Club to class five horsess means the five-year-old can't win another race between now and the March 15 race date.

Heywood put Calke Abbey in the paddock a month ago to be set for the race, but thought it would for open company horses, not class fives.

"Now we don't know what to do," he said. "We might as well bring him back in to put up more money, as it's no good thing he'll win the race anyway.

"It's no good waiting six months for one race.

"He could earn a fair bit of money in three months if he won two or three races, which he's capable of doing.

"Its pointless waiting six months to try and win one race."

Living On A Prayer is still campaigning in Queensland, but Heywood expects the six-year-old to return to his stable and again be aimed at the Wagga Town Plate.