Country trainers and owners will now have the chance to compete for more than double the prize money after the introduction of a new race to metropolitan Saturday programs.
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Racing NSW has introduced a new TAB Highway race at Class 2 or 3 levels as the ninth race scheduled on Saturday race meetings in the city.
The Highway races are restricted to country trained horses only, giving country trainers an opening to a much larger prize pool.
The first Highway race will be held on Saturday, October 17 over 1200 metres at Royal Randwick, and the program will follow on each Saturday thereafter.
For country trainers such as Scone’s Melanie O’Gorman, the new race is a positive initiative by Racing NSW and an opportunity she believes trainers and owners should not let slip by.
Ms O’Gorman runs O’Gorman Racing in Scone where she trains up to 20 horses, some of which she will be preparing for this particular race type.
One such horse is ‘Trustee’, a five-year-old gelding now owned by a syndicate of people.
The horse has been under O’Gorman previously when owned by the Ramsey family and she trained him to win his first start.
Since then the horse has moved to the Gold Coast and O’Gorman has bought him back as she believes the horse is capable of good things.
Ms O’Gorman said ‘Trustee’ will have a barrier trial in Scone on Wednesday, which will determine if he heads to Sydney to chase the money in one of the Highway races.
She said she thinks the new concept is great as it gives country trainers access to better prize money.
“We’re currently racing for about $15,000 on TAB days here in Scone and we will be racing for more than double that in the Highway handicap.
“It’s a nice opportunity for horses on their way up through the grades as it is not a race for open company or high rating horses.
“It’s a great opportunity for an injection of funds into country races and horses,” she said.
“It costs me the same amount to feed my horses as it does to feed horses in the city, I pay my staff about the same as city trainers pay their staff, but we’re racing for not even half the prize money.
“I’m really hoping the race is here to stay.
“Trainers shouldn’t be afraid to have a crack at it, if they think a horse is worth it.”
Due to the positive interest from country participants, Racing NSW have brought forward the start of the race from December to October 17.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys AM said reaction to the concept has been overwhelming with the Highway races eagerly anticipated.
“Accordingly we’ve agreed with trainers and owners to bring forward the start date to October 17 and we extend our appreciation to the Australian Turf Club for their assistance in enabling the start date of TAB Highway races to be brought forward,” he said.
