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By Mark Brassel

Goulburn trainer Scott Collings is hoping to secure a berth in the rich Newhaven Park Country Championships Final with a mare that hasn’t raced for four months.

Collings prepares talented mare Ten Bells who will be competing first-up in next Sunday’s $150,000 Newhaven Park South East Championships at Nowra.

Ten Bells (Jason Collett) coasts home in a Royal Randwick TAB Highway. Image by Bradley Photographers

A winner of four races from just six starts including two TAB Highways at Royal Randwick last August and October, the mare was due to race at Canberra on January 21 but was a late scratching at the barriers.

“The horse beside her in the gates lunged forward which set her off and she kicked out,” Collings explained.

“It’s not what we really needed as she lost a bit of skin on the day but aside from that, she was fine with the vet giving her the all-clear.

“We gave her a short break in the paddock after her Randwick win in the spring as we have always had the Country Championships in mind. Fitness-wise she is spot on.”

First and second placegetters in next Sunday’s Nowra race will qualify for the Final at Randwick (1400m) on Saturday April 2.

“If she qualifies for Randwick at Nowra, we’ll probably give her one more run leading into the Final,” Collings said. “More than likely, she’ll be ridden by Mathew Cahill.”

Ten Bells has only been over the 1400m trip once when last (of five) at Sapphire Coast last March.

“Things didn’t pan out that day so we’re still confident she will run 1400-metres strongly,” Collings said.

“The main road to Merimbula was flooded so we had to go the long way around which took its toll.”

TAB released its first market on the Country Championships Final last week and listed Ten Bells as a $15 chance with the Tamworth-trained Edit the $8 early favourite.

Next Sunday’s Newhaven Park South East Country Championships Day at Nowra is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting boasting $370,000 total prizemoney.

Shoalhaven City Turf Club’s CEO, Paul Weekes said there has been months of planning to ensure the afternoon of racing and activities runs smoothly.

“We have a Fashions on the Field, a Champagne and Oyster Bar, the SERA Championships Sweepstakes ($5,000 prizes), a jumping castle and train rides for the kids, live music and a TAB and bookmakers,” Weekes said.

“Back in October the Club did significant remedial drainage works and since resuming racing in December, the track has presented in immaculate condition and has never looked better.”

Coffs Harbour kicks off the Country Championships the previous afternoon when they host Newhaven Park Northern Rivers Country Championships Day.

Coffs Harbour kicks off the Country Championships when they host Newhaven Park Northern Rivers Country Championships Day the previous day.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Muswellbrook, Bathurst
Tuesday: Lismore
Thursday: Wagga
Friday: Taree, Tamworth
Saturday: Coffs Harbour (NRRA Country Championships), Sapphire Coast, Tumut (non-TAB), Bedgerabong picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra (SERA Country Championships), Dubbo