RACING NSW has introduced new eligibility conditions for horses to run in the Country Championship and Provincial Championship Series, which they hope will strengthen the events' objective of promoting non-metropolitan trainers and connections.
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Wagga will hold the Southern District Country Championship qualifier on February 20, winning back the $150,000 regional final from Albury for the first time since 2018.
The qualifying stable return date for raced horses to be trained by a country trainer has been brought forward to May 1 for this year's lucrative series.
Horses that are previously unraced must have been legitimately under the care of a NSW country trainer by September 1.
The horses must remain in the stable of a country trainer for at least a year after the final, with failure to comply with his conditions to possibly result in a penalty and forfeiture of relevant prizemoney.
The same requirements will be in place for the provincial series.
Murrumbidgee Turf Club will also hold a BlazeAid charity function in conjunction with the race day, with two big names confirmed to help raise valuable funds for those affected by last year's bushfires.
Former NSW Regional Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons will be one of the guests, while Winx part owner Debbie Kepitis will also be in attendance.
"We actually wnated to run this luncheon around this time last year, but COVID got in the way," Murrumbidgee Turf Club chief executive Steve Keene said.
"As soon as we were given some free air we put it back on the table, and managed to get two well respected guests so hopefully we can raise some decent money for BlazeAid.
"They're doing a great job, especially for people who were affected by the Dunns Road fire locally.
"It's a little something we can give back on one of our biggest race days. We're hoping for a big crowd and to raise as much as we can."
Tickets will go on sale this Friday at trybooking.com, with $5 from every $60 ticket sold to go directly to BlazeAid.
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