The Country Championships is one of the great concepts created by Racing NSW and the ATC, showcasing to the racing world the best of the non metropolitan based horses. The race is wide open as always, so here at Just Horse Racing, we have put together an extensive preview in order for you to find the winner.
What Does History Tell Us?
1. The Hunter And North West Qualifier has been the key heat when it comes to the Final, with the two winners of the Final, Artlee and Clearly Innocent, coming through that heat in 2015 and 2016 respectively. In fact, it provided the 2015 trifecta, so history does suggest that is the one to watch with the most interest.
2. A lead up run after the heat into the Final is a must, and it did work for Artlee, but only because it had to. He ran midfield in the Heat in 2015 before winning the Wildcard at Muswellbrook. Clearly Innocent won a benchmark race at Scone like a barrier trial before winning the Final.
3. Barriers aren’t that significant when it comes to the Randwick 1400m, given they start from the cute, with really just a nice run to the home turn. Artlee drew 14 and bolted up, while Clearly Innocent had gate two.
The Heats:
Northern Rivers Qualifier: Monday February 13, Grafton, 1400m Good4 Surface.
Qualifiers: Perfect Dare/Free Standing
Time: 1:21.40 (Last 600m in 34.92)
Other 1400m Times That Meeting: None
Summary: Dominant, dominant win by this Matty Dunn trained galloper (Yellow Colours). Was in the right spot all the way before Jim Byrne got him clear air and once he pushed the button, it was game over, winning by a space. Free Standing had the charmed run behind them in the green colours and white cap, and once he worked clear, he finished off okay, but clearly no match for Perfect Dare. Only have eyes for him here. He also trialled very nicely recently at the Gold Coast.
South East Qualifier: Saturday February 18, Goulburn, 1400m, Good4 Surface.
Qualifiers: Pumpkin Pie/Steel Frost
Time: 1:22.48 (Last 600m in 36.77)
Other 1400m Times That Meeting: None
Summary: Pumpkin Pie (Yellow And Black Colours) was backed as if unbeatable and won accordingly despite some anxious moments from the sticky draw out wide. Jay Ford got her to sit outside the leader before putting it away quite quickly and she was left in front early on in the straight, but she powered away. Steel Frost had the suck run behind and loomed to beat Pumpkin Pie but couldn’t quite. For mine, Pumpkin Pie is the only one to follow here. Both have since ran in respective races and have failed.
Western Qualifier: Sunday February 19, Dubbo, 1400m, Good3 Surface.
Qualifiers: Stoneyrise/Not For Export
Time: 1:22.19
Other 1400m Times That Meeting: 1:23.26 (Maiden), 1:21.77 (Class 2)
Summary: On first look, and after a couple of replays, I didn’t want to look at this race. But upon reflection, this was a very impressive win from Stoneyrise (Blue/Red Colours). I know his prior form was non-tab, but looking at the replay, he absolutely savaged the line over 1400m despite doing plenty wrong, and he ran a tick over 1.22 for the 1400m. Not For Export was given a colt sit back off the speed and never really looked like winning but finished off strongly to run third. The winner is bred to handle a wet track, and his time compares well with Perfect Dare.
Mid North Coast Qualifier: Sunday February 26, Taree, 1400m, Soft7 Surface.
Qualifiers: Cogliere/Shotgun Roulette
Time: 1:25.22 (Last 600m in 36.56)
Other 1400nm Times That Meeting: None
Summary: This was an absolute peach of a steer from Andrew Adkins for his former master, Marc Quinn. Cogliere (Yellow and Black Colours) eased back from the wide gate to get cover. Followed every move that Corey Brown on Shotgun Roulette made and once straightening, he peeled out and finished best. This pair had Stakes form from their early days, so they really looked the key two runners and that is how it panned out. Cogliere has since failed on a heavy track in the Darby Munro while Shotgun Roulette trialled well at Wyong.
Hunter & North West Qualifier: Sunday March 5, Scone, 1400m, Heavy8 Surface.
Qualifiers: Careless Choice/Nic’s Vendetta
Time: 1:25.56 (Last 600m in 37.85)
Other 1400m Times That Meeting: None
Summary: I was on Nic’s Vendetta…I still don’t know how he lost. He was given a 12/10 by Aaron Bullock and the ride deserved the win. But take nothing away from Caerless Choice (Arrowfield Colours). He was first up here for Paul Messara and was wide no cover throughout. Looked gone at the top of the straight but he just kept finding and surged to get the win right on the peg. He smashed the clock in a trial there last week ad Nic’s Vendetta trialled well behind the Stakes performed Ravi.
Central Districts Qualifier: Sunday March 12, Wellington, 1400m, Good3 Surface.
Qualifiers: Distinctive Look/Galaxy Warrior
Time: 1:23.07
Other 1400m Times That Meeting: 1:23.98 (Maiden), 1:24.46 (Class 2)
Summary: Best ride won the race, with Koby Jennings giving the winner (Green Colours) clear air at the right time whereas Allan Chau on Galaxy Warrior was probing for a run that really wasn’t there. I think you can make a case that he should have won. But all credit to the winner, who was successful in a couple of Highways during the Spring. But is this the right heat to follow in regards to the Final? I don’t think so.
Soutern Districts Qualifier: Sunday March 19, Albury, 1400m, Good3 Surface.
Qualifiers: Lautaro/Forever Newyork
Time: 1:24.09 (Last 600m in 36.72)
Other 1400m Times That Meeting: 1:25.08 (Maiden)
Summary: It was a day where those out wide and swooping were advantaged, so I am not sure what to make of this race. Lautaro is a more of a miler/2000m race who did nothing in a Wangaratta trial, but the cards fell into place for him here. They ran along in front and he (Maroon/White Colours) was near the widest in the straight. Took a while to wind up but once he did, he finished off with purpose to nail Forever Newyork on the peg. I’ll be shocked if this pair are in the finish in the Final.
Wildcard: Sunday March 26, Scone, 1300m, Soft7 Surface.
Qualifiers: Pelerin/After All That
Time: 1:17.81 (Last 600m in 35.32)
Other 1300m Times That Meeting: 1:18.75 (Maiden), 1:17.90 (Open Handicap), 1:18.54 (Class One)
Summary: By the time this race was run, making your run near the outside fence was the place to be and that proved to be the case for Pelerin who was last in the run and had to make a long, sustained run out wide to grab After All That on the peg, running some of the best closing splits of the meeting. After All That was wide most of the way and did a very good to finish as close as it did. Keep in mind also that Pelerin didn’t contest a heat prior to this.
