Armidale horse trainers will have a rare opportunity to race their horses on Sydney’s finest race tracks during the Autumn Carnival courtesy of a new initiative by Racing NSW.
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Racing NSW last week announced the launch date of the TAB Highway races had been moved forward to Saturday, October 17.
The TAB Highway races will be raced on Sydney tracks Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens and Canterbury on Saturdays throughout October and November.
Strictly restricted to country-trained horses, the TAB Highway races will be added as the ninth race for the scheduled Saturday meetings. The TAB Highway races are to be run at Class 2 or 3 levels and provide a unique opportunity for country trainers to race their horses on some of Australia’s finest race courses.
Armidale trainer Stirling Osland said it was a wonderful opportunity for local trainers.
“It’s a great idea,” he said.
“It opens the door for country trainers to win some good races in the city.
“There are going to be some good country horses thrown at these races.”
While Osland said he doesn’t have in horses in his stable he could nominate for these events this year, he would consider aiming for the TAB Highway races in 2016 if it was to return for a second year.
“It’s a great idea, but I just don’t have a horse suited for them at the moment,” he said.
The non-metro win races in Brisbane are extremely popular with northern NSW trainers and Osland said the TAB Highway races provide another city destination for country trainers.
“People travel to Brisbane a lot from around here, so I couldn’t see why they wouldn’t travel to Sydney if they know they are only racing against country horses,” he said.
The first TAB Highway race will be on Saturday, October 17 at Royal Randwick with a Class 2 Handicap over 1200m.