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By Mark Brassel

Country racing in New South Wales finishes with a major flurry this week whereby 11 race meetings are scheduled in the space of just three days.

It all commences on Thursday’s ANZAC Day with six country race meetings headed by the big Soldier’s Saddle seven-race TAB program at Bathurst, along with Kempsey, Murwillumbah, Deniliquin, Armidale and Nyngan, with each race club including remembrance services.

Bathurst's Soldier's Saddle meeting on ANZAC Day is one of the Club's biggest of the year. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

The Soldier’s Saddle meeting is one of Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing’s biggest racedays of the year and the Club always looks forward to what has become a true Bathurst tradition.

The Fashions on the Field competition is themed ‘A Pop of Red’ acknowledging the red from the poppy as the commemorative flower of remembrance.

Kempsey Race Club expects to attract a decent crowd with the highlights of the day the Kempsey Macleay RSL Diggers Cup (1250m) and the ANZAC Day Benchmark 50 Handicap (1450m).

Deniliquin Racing Club has private and corporate marquee packages available for their ANZAC Day with live music, a Fashions on the Field and Two-up starting after the last race.

There will be a full TAB and bar facilities, along with local and metro bookies fielding with the feature race the $16,000 White Lion Hotel Diggers Cup. A courtesy bus will also be operating.

Nyngan hosts a big ANZAC Day meeting with a free luncheon, bookmakers, TAB, bar and BBQ facilities, a Fashions on the Field, Punters Club, and free face painting and a jumping castle for the kids.

The day after on Friday is Tamworth’s biggest ever raceday with the running of the $200,000 Tamworth City Toyota Tamworth Cup which is also a qualifier for the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November.

“We’ll have the popular Fashions on the Field contest along with Kids Corner,” said Tamworth Jockey Club’s general manager, Jack Penfold.

“There are hospitality and reserved seating packages available including the Garden Party ($75) and Members Luncheon ($95 Member, $115 guest) with the Trackside Pavilion having sold out.”

General entry is just $10 if pre-purchased by ANZAC Day or $20 on the day.

Top Novocastrian trainer Kris Lees has entered three horses for the Tamworth Cup: Kinloch, Razeta and Willinga Freefall who finished fourth just behind the placegetters in the Country Championships Final at Randwick.

Moruya Jockey Club also race on Friday with a ‘delayed ANZAC Day’ meeting featuring entertainment by Party Mode DJs, a free kids’ jumping castle and free face painting.

There’s also a stack of on-course facilities including a bar, TAB, bookies, with food options Moruya Ice Cream Café, Capriz Pizza, Hot Diggity Dogs, Caffeissimo Coffee van, D’Lish D’Lite Donut van and Reggies Ice Cream van.

Gates open at 11:30am with bus services running from Club Narooma and Club Tuross for just $10 returning from the track at 5pm.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Lismore, Queanbeyan
Tuesday: Coffs Harbour
Thursday: Bathurst, Armidale (non-TAB), Kempsey (non-TAB), Deniliquin (non-TAB), Murwillumbah (non-TAB), Nyngan (non-TAB)
Friday: Tamworth, Moruya
Saturday: Ballina, Merriwa (non-TAB), Tomingley picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Taree, Narromine