$150k up for grabs in Provincial Championships

The event draws 15 of the best horses trained at provincial tracks across NSW or in the Australian Capital Territory, to compete in the $150,000 feature event, which headlines an eight-race program.

The first three finishers in each of the five heats earns a spot in the $400,000 final, which will be held at Royal Randwick on April 8.

“Trainers have already expressed their intentions to run in our heat and try and qualify for the final” said Hawkesbury Race Club CEO Greg Rudolph.

“With the incentive of $50,000 more prizemoney than last year and ACT-trained horses now eligible, we will again attract a very competitive field.

“Our heat is more than a month before the final at Randwick, so there is incentive to qualify early.”

Last year’s Provincial Championships final winner, Danish Twist, has continued its form and gone on to experience great success.

Since the event, the Kris Lees-trained mare has won the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic, the Listed June Stakes and finished third in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes.

Off the track, there’s plenty of entertainment aimed at boosting the traditional Thursday crowd.

Racegoers will enjoy a free gourmet barbecue and have the chance to win tickets to The Championships at Royal Randwick.

There will be live music all day and plenty of children’s activities, plus the chance to win $10,000 cash.

Adult entry to the racecourse is just $10 and children under 18 are free.

Gates open at 11am.

Hawkesbury Race Club is located in Racecourse Road, Clarendon.

Other Provincial qualifiers are as follows: Wyong (February 23), Gosford (March 15) Kembla Grange (March 23) and Newcastle (March 29).