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The 2017 TAB Country and Provincial Championships Editors’ Challenge commences this Sunday when the $150,000 Country Championships Qualifier (1400m) jumps at Grafton.

The TAB Editors’ Challenge was launched in 2015 and generated remarkable interest around New South Wales through both the media and the public.

Relevant newspaper editors were invited to ‘support their local horses’ that were heading to Royal Randwick to compete in both Finals.

“The Editors’ Challenge was quickly embraced in 2015 and is a win-win for all concerned,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM. “The Country and Provincial media have supported the Challenge through their newspapers and it gives locals a horse to cheer home in the Finals at Royal Randwick while benefitting their respective charities.”

Picture by Janian McMillan

TAB was keen to register their support for the Editors’ Challenge and sponsored both regional Finals whereby the newspaper whose horse won the region’s heat would represent the local community in the Final, with the Editor nominating a deserving local charity.

Last year TAB gave $5000 to the two Final winners (as well as $500 to the winless charities):-

Clearly Innocent (Scone Advocate) – selected charity Aberdeen Men’s Shed, and Danish Twist (Illawarra Mercury) – Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden

TAB’s Chief Operating Officer-Wagering & Media, Mr Craig Nugent said: “The TAB Editors’ Challenge was such a success last year that we were very excited to be involved again in 2017. It was really embraced by the editors in the Country and Provincial areas and it’s great to see regional New South Wales continue to become such a big part of The Championships.”

Bragging rights will again be at stake in 2017 with participating newspapers and their readers supporting ‘their’ horse to land the Final, while two charities will benefit handsomely.

The 2017 The Championships will be held on Saturday 1 & 8 April at Royal Randwick, where the 12 grand finals of Australian Thoroughbred racing will be centre stage incorporating eight Group One events as well as the third running of the Provincial & Country Championships Finals.

Updates on the TAB Country and Provincial Championships Editors’ Challenge will appear at – thechampionships.com.au