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Racing NSW had previously announced that the eligibility date for the 2021 Country Championships series would be 1 May 2020 rather than 1 October in previous years.

After receiving a number of submissions on the above change, Racing NSW today revised the eligibility date for the 2021 Country Championships.

Accordingly, to be eligible for the 2021 Series, horses will need to have been under the care of an eligible country trainer as at:

• 1 July 2020 for raced horses; or
• 1 September 2020 for previously unraced horses.

Racing NSW will also reserve the ability to admit horses to the series on application, depending on the individual circumstances of the horses.

The revised eligibility dates for the 2021 Country Championships series have been developed following consultation with the NSW Trainers Association.

The Country Championships conditions will retain the recently introduced provision that horses contesting the series must be trained by an eligible country trainer for twelve months following the Final.

“Racing NSW is seeking to ensure that horses racing in the Country Championships series reflect the objectives of the series to promote the participation and development of NSW country racing,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive Mr Peter V’landys AM.

“Racing NSW believes that altering the eligibility date to 1 July 2020 for raced horses is fairer to horses that entered country stables to be raced as country horses in advance of and beyond the Country Championships,” Mr V’landys added.

The Country Championships series commences at Coffs Harbour on 13 February 2021 with the Final at Royal Randwick on Saturday 3 April 2021.

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