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By Mark Brassel

Groundhog Day will hit Narrandera on Sunday with the running of the $70,000 Community Bank Narrandera Cup (1600m).

Eight-year-old Prince of Helena will be endeavouring to rewrite the record books should he become the first horse to claim three successive Narrandera Cups.

And he will be attempting the feat with virtually the exact same preparation for three years running.

Prince of Helena (Jason Lyon; red cap) narrowly takes out the 2024 Narrandera Cup. Image by Kylie Shaw (Trackpix Racing Photography)

In 2023 the gelding finished third in the Swan Hill Cup before having another lead-up at Murray Bridge prior to his Narrandera win.

The following year Prince of Helena came fourth in the Swan Hill Cup before fourth in the David Bourke at Flemington on his way to claiming a second Cup at Narrandera.

And it has been a carbon copy in 2025, having finished third in the Swan Hill Cup before a closing fifth in the David Bourke.

“Prince of Helena will be going for a Narrandera Cup hat-trick and if successful, it will be a record since accurate data was compiled from 1977,” declared Michael Bailey, Narrandera Race Club’s racing manager.

“To my knowledge no horse has won the treble and since 1977 only two horses, Walk the Beat (2004-05) and Sonro (2012-13) have achieved the double.

“Walk the Beat was owned by the well-known Tyack Family at Tullibigeal and trained by Craig Weeding one year and the other by Michael Lynch.

“Craig Weeding prepares Prince of Helena and is a strong supporter of racing in the area. Craig has already said he’s keen to create history.”

It’s free entry for Narrandera Cup Day with the feature offering eligibility for the $3m Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

“We’re expecting a huge crowd with live music, kids’ entertainment and the McGrath Riverina Fashions on the Field with the chance to win a three-night stay at the Phillip Island Ramada Resort,” Bailey said.

“There will be a bar and canteen, indoor seating with a luncheon, a TAB and local bookmakers and $1000 members draw.

“On Saturday night there is a Cup Calcutta at Narrandera Ex-Services Club with TAB giveaways and being a Racing NSW Showcase meeting, a record $310,000 in prizemoney is on offer.”

Meanwhile, tickets are now on sale to share in $2m prizemoney for The Kosciuszko sweepstakes, part of the world’s richest race for country-trained gallopers.

NSW residents can purchase $5 sweepstakes tickets via the TAB App, tab.com.au, local pubs, clubs, TAB agencies and at NSW race meetings.

14 winning tickets will be drawn on 10 September with each winner then selecting a NSW country or ACT-trained horse to race in their ‘slot’, once they have agreed with the horse’s owner group as to how they will share prizemoney for the race.

The Kosciuszko sweepstakes draw takes place on Wednesday 10 September.

Next Saturday Carinda & District Race Club is gearing up for their annual six-race program boasting $72,000 in prizemoney.

“It’s a big day for the bush packed with cold drinks, great food and top-tier racing action,” said Club President, Taryn Gough. “And the Fashions on the Field competition will return with cash prizes.

“We’re not a big organisation with a huge raceday but we put on a good show.

“It takes many volunteers to pull these days together and in a tiny town, we do it with a small army. These events bring people in and keep our little town thriving.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Wagga
Tuesday: Goulburn, Muswellbrook
Thursday: Dubbo
Friday: Moruya, Scone
Saturday: Port Macquarie, Carinda (non-TAB), Wean picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Narrandera, Grafton