The fields for the Southern District feature at Albury will be out on Thursday morning with News Girl expected to be opened up a short-priced favourite for the qualifier.

But it is not that simple. News Girl has also accepted at Caulfield on Saturday in the group three $160,000 Zeditave Stakes (1400m) with Craig Williams booked to ride.

Adding further intrigue to the decision is that the four-year-old mare has drawn the outside in the field of 10 at Caulfield.

Duryea last week revealed Albury was the preference for News Girl, pending the barrier draw.

"She's a good chance of running," Duryea told Inside Racing.

"The bottom line will be the barrier draw. If they say we don't want you to come and give us barrier 14, we'll go to Caulfield.

"Our preference is to go to Albury for two reasons. It's just down the road and the conditions suit her. But it will all come down to the barrier draw."

So all eyes will be on the barrier draw on Thursday morning.

Many rival trainers believe News Girl is vulnerable at 1400m but she has only had one start over the trip for a fourth placing in group two company, beaten two lengths.

She could hardly enter the race in any better form after running second in the group three Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield two weeks ago when she was beaten in a photo finish. She won the two starts beforehand at Caulfield and is unbeaten at Albury.

Jordan Mallyon is booked to ride.

News Girl is a $15 chance with TAB for the $500,000 Country Championships Final.

At this stage, Rock 'N' Roller is the only doubtful starter of the 23 nominations for the race.

...

ALBURY Racing Club is expecting a crowd of up to 2000 people to attend Country Championships day on Saturday.

Chief executive Steve Hetherton said early indications point to a big crowd.

"Ticket sales are well up on last year," Hetherton said.

"We're hoping for somewhere around 1500 to 2000 people. It's supposed to be 31 on Saturday so in that regard, we should do particularly well.

"We're trying to attract a younger crowd so we've got plenty of entertainment lined up. Everyone should be well covered."

As part of the entertainment line up, there will be life music, craft brewery tasting, drink specials and kids entertainment.

There will also be a number of giveaways on the day, including tickets to the ATC Member's Enclosure on Country Championships Final day.

Entry is $15.

...

EXPERIENCED Wagga jockey Brett Fliedner entered rare company at Tumut Turf Club on Saturday.

Fliedner travelled to Tumut and was successful on the Trevor Sutherland-trained Empires Collide ($10) in the Maiden Plate (1400m).

Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly then highlighted the statistic that the victory meant that Fliedner has now ridden a winner in each of the last six decades.

Fliedner has ridden winners in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s and 20s.

A remarkable feat and one of very few who can boast such a record.

...

WAGGA jockey Nick Heywood's return to the races has been delayed by injury.

Heywood fractured a bone in his hand after a fall in a Canberra jump out last week.

Heywood had hoped to be back on March 8 but his return date will now be pushed back.

...

SOUTHERN District jockey Brooke Sweeney made a winning return to the races at Balranald last Saturday.

Sweeney had been on the sidelines since November due to a broken wrist.

She travelled to Balranald on Saturday for one ride and it proved to be a winning one as she scored on Duke Of Boneo ($4.80) for Jane Duncan.

Sweeney is riding work for the Hayes Dabernig stable at Euroa and is looking to reestablish herself in the region after her recent lay off.

...

EXPERIENCED jockey Nick Souquet also made his return from an injury-enforced lay off last weekend.

Souquet returned from injury at Tumut after three months out with a fractured wrist.

He sustained the injury at barrier trials at Tatura in November.

Souquet will look to made an immediate impact upon return when he jumps on board the David Blundell-trained Thistledo in the SDRA Country Championships Qualifier on Saturday.

...

WELL-PERFORMED Tumut galloper Bondo has been retired.

Connections confirmed the plans after Bondo finished sixth behind Great Glen in Saturday's Tumut Cup.

Owned by the Groves family at Tumut, Bondo had 101 starts for 10 wins, 28 minor placings and $211,000 in career earnings.

Bondo started his career with Mick Miladinovic in Canberra before joining the Kerry Weir stable in the middle on 2016.

He proved to be a grand campaigner for the Weir stable, winning seven races, including last year's Young Cup. He also ran minor placings in the Adaminaby Cup, Adelong Cup and Tumut Cup, a race he ran in for four consecutive years.

...

THERE will be only a limited Southern District representation at Canberra on Friday.

The inaugural Canberra racing carnival kicks off on Friday with the all-new $150,000 Canberra Mile (1600m), and a number of preludes on a twilight card.

SDRA Horse of the Year, Spunlago, will contest the inaugural Canberra Mile for Albury trainer Ron Stubbs and connections.

Spunlago has drawn the inside gate, with Mathew Cahill to ride.

Tumut trainer Kerry Weir also has Bouddi in earlier in the day.

Canberra Racing Club will this year run its traditional Black Opal meeting over two days, the Sunday and Monday of March 8-9.

GALLOPS

Saturday: Albury (TAB)

TROTS

Friday: Wagga (TAB)

Tuesday: Wagga (TAB)

DOGS

Saturday: Young (non-TAB)

Sunday: Wagga (TAB)