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By Mark Brassel

It’s no joke that well-known comedian Rodney Rude was born in Nowra and the horseplay rolls on at Archer Racecourse on Sunday.

Shoalhaven Turf Club will waltz into their Nowra Showcase Cup Day with the $65,000 feature a qualifying event for the $3 million Big Dance next year.

“Racing at Nowra has gone from strength to strength since we moved our Nowra Cup meeting to the summertime slot on Sunday [10 December]," said SCTC’s CEO, Paul Weekes.

Rory Hutchings returns aboard last year's Nowra Cup winner French Bonnet. Image by Bradley Photographers

“This meeting continues the spring and summer series of racing at Nowra and Sunday’s meeting promises to be another great day.

“Being a Big Dance qualifying race makes it even more appealing as was the case last year when a quality field of runners competed in the Cup.

“We’ve had plenty of recent rainfall and the track is in great order, so we expect it to be in tip-top condition on Cup Day.

“There will be a Fashions on the Field with plenty of prizes as well as a TAB and bookmakers on course with activities for the kids. It’s also a great time of the year for Christmas parties!

“A full range of raceday packages are still available including the popular lawn umbrella packages and pre-ordered platters.”

A free return shuttle bus service, in partnership with Shoalhaven Maxi Buses, will operate from Bomaderry and Nowra. For bookings contact the Club or go to – sctcnowra.com.au

Last week Racing NSW announced the 2024 dates and venues for the Newhaven Park Country Championships Series.

In 2024, the series of seven regional qualifiers and two Wild Card races of $150,000 prizemoney each will culminate in a Final with $1 million in prizemoney.

Total prizemoney, for the Country Championships series in 2024 will be a record $2.35 million.

“The Country Championships has been a tremendous success, and this will be the tenth running in 2024 which is being marked by prizemoney for the Final increasing to $1 million,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

The qualifying series in 2024 will again be run on six Sundays, two Saturdays and a Friday.

The venues are Lismore (17 Feb), Albury (18 Feb), Tuncurry-Forster (24 Feb), Mudgee (25 Feb), Moruya (3 March), Tamworth (10 March) and Coonamble (17 March). The two Wild Cards are at Scone (22 March) and Goulburn (24 March).

Meanwhile, Moulamein’s annual race meeting is on Saturday with the six-race community day featuring the APCO Moulamein Cup (1600m).

“We’re excited to be offering some delicious treats this raceday with vendors including Barham/Koondrool Lions Club BBQ, Murray Mallee Wood Fired Pizza, Hangry Monkeys and Frosty Monkeys,” said Moulamein Racing Club’s secretary/manager, Katarni Lipp.

“There will be TAB facilities with country and metro bookies along with plenty of children’s activities – tickets can be purchased on the day at the gate.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Friday: Scone
Saturday: Albury, Parkes (non-TAB), Moulamein (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra Cup (*Big Dance qualifier)