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By Mark Brassel

Around three tonnes of horse feed is up for grabs during the Barastoc Sprint Series which continues at Dubbo today.

It’s Round 2 with an excellent field lining up in the $27,000 dash over 1100m with last start Wyong Highway winner Wilbury to be sent out the favourite ($1.85 on TAB).

“The Barastoc Summers Sprint Series has been a tremendous concept and seen broad appeal in just its second year of running,” explained Sam Fitzgerald, GM of Dubbo Turf Club.

Wilbury (Clayton Gallagher) wins a TAB Highway at Wyong. Image by Bradley Photographers

“Last year the Series was run at Benchmark 58 grade and attracted strong fields, but this time they’re being run at Benchmark 66 and Benchmark 74 Handicap grade.

“Consequently, we are attracting high quality gallopers such as Country Championships Final winner Sizzle Minizzle ($15), and TAB Highway winners Wilbury and Smart and Dapper ($3.70) for Round Two.

“The first round of the Series was taken out by the Damien Lane-trained Jamakin Money, who was very impressive in winning against a field of progressive types.

“Barastoc is part of Australia’s largest independent supplier of high-performance animal nutrition, and the company has been extremely generous in providing more than three tonnes of feed with a retail value of over $7,500.”

The final Round of the Barastoc Sprint Series will be held at Dubbo on Sunday 16 February.

Walcha, on the NSW Northern Tablelands, will celebrate the 140th running of their Cup on Friday.

Walcha’s popular two-day Cup Carnival is headed by the Friday program that is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting offering $295,000 in prizemoney.

The eight-race card features the $45,000 Walcha Cup (1440m) and the $35,000 Lightning Handicap (1000m).

The course has TAB and bar facilities, along with plenty of food and beverage options and a Fashions on the Field competition.

The second day on Saturday is a memorial / community race meeting and a more casual day with free entry.

It’s also a Family Day with face painting, jumping castle, ice creams and a Kids’ Fashions on the Field competition along with a foot race on the course.

The Lions Footrace has become a popular Saturday tradition where both female and male entrants run the racecourse circuit.

Meanwhile, Clarence River Jockey Club at Grafton will host Heat 13 of the Rising Star Series on Tuesday.

The Exclusive Trophies Rising Star Handicap (1006m) is dominated by female apprentices with nine having picked up mounts including Series leader Mollie Fitzgerald (riding Shintaro Lass).

The others are Jett Newman (Guru Class), Cassey Williams (The Lupercal), Millie Thompson (Once a Lady), Siena Grima (Pressalong), Shannen Llewellyn (La Pelago), Emily Farr (She’s Enuff), Courtney Ferris (Invincible Faith) and Lauren Van Tijn (Love Rat).

Mollie Fitzgerald leads the Rising Star Series on 20 points in advance of Siena Grima (16 points) and Jessica Brookes (15pts), with Madeline Owen and Olivia Dalton both on 12 points. Heat 14 of the Series will be run over 1100m at Warwick Farm the following day (Wednesday).

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Dubbo, Muswellbrook
Tuesday: Grafton
Thursday: Albury
Friday: Walcha
Saturday: Gilgandra, Tumut, Walcha (non-TAB); Braidwood (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra, Taree