Latest News

By Mark Brassel

A devastating late burst by Maryore had a charity in the Illawarra region south of Sydney cheering wildly.

Maryore, a $20 chance, steamed down the outside to capture the $400,000 Provincial Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships.

Friends of Wollongong Botanic Gardens will receive $5000 - courtesy of TAB - after Illawarra Mercury nominated it as its charity of choice in TAB’s 2017 Provincial Editors’ Challenge.

Left: Maryore (Tim Clark) darts away from her opponents in today's Provincial Championships Final

The Provincial Championships has generated much interest around the state and newspaper editors were invited to ‘support their local horse’ leading up to today’s Final on The Championships Day 2 – Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day.

TAB joined with The Championships to get behind each region’s horse and editors were asked to nominate a charity with $5000 heading to the winner’s respective charity.

Illawarra Mercury had Maryore running for them, with editor Julian O’Brien, saying: “We must have the golden touch! The Illawarra Mercury is delighted to be involved with this wonderful initiative and the winner for the second year in a row.

“The winnings will again go to the Friends of the Wollongong Botanic Gardens for some major work at what is a jewel in our city's crown, I know they would have been giving the horse a big cheer. And thanks to Racing NSW for this partnership and allowing us to give back to our community.”

Racing NSW Chief Executive, Peter V'landys AM, said: “This is the third year of the Country and Provincial Championships Series and they have both been highly successful. Today’s Provincial Championships Final offered owners and trainers huge prizemoney and the chance to be on the big stage at Royal Randwick.”

Maryore’s trainer Philip Courtney said: “I have been training for about five years but mostly as a hobby until the last 12 months and I do it full-time now and have eight in work; this is a shot in the arm for us I can guarantee you.”

You can view the horses, newspapers and their charities at - TAB Country Editors' Challenge