The finals of the NSW country and provincial championships have both received a prize money boost to $500,000.
Racing NSW announced the dates on Friday for the two series in 2018, culminating in the finals at Randwick on the two Saturdays of The Championships in autumn.
The Country Championships series features seven regional qualifying heats, each boasting prize money of $150,000 to be run on consecutive Sundays.
“The Country Championships excites all country participants and racegoers and is an important aspirational target for country racing. The increase in prize money for the Final to $500,000 will further strengthen the series,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.
The Country Championships begin on February 18 with the Mid North Coast qualifier at Port Macquarie worth $150,000..
Country qualifying dates:
Feb 18: PORT MACQUARIE (Mid North Coast region)
Feb 24: GOULBURN (South East)
Feb 25: MUDGEE (Central Districts)
March 4: WAGGA WAGGA (Southern Districts)
March 11: GRAFTON (Northern Rivers)
March 18: SCONE (Hunter & North West)
March 25: DUBBO (Western)
April 1: MUSWELLBROOK (Wild Card)
April 7: Final at Randwick
Provincial dates:
March 3: WYONG
March 10: HAWKESBURY
March 17: GOSFORD
March 24: KEMBLA GRANGE
March 31: NEWCASTLE
April 14: Final at Randwick
