Current & Past Winners
2023 Northern Rivers Country Championship
For the second year on end the Northern Rivers crown heads to Murwillumbah after lightly raced four-year-old Bean Foggy produced a big finish to take out a race that not only had a dramatic finish but also a start. Odds-on favourite Lisztomania reared at the start and threw the jockey, he was declared a non-runner after it was deemed he was denied a fair start. The Darren Graham trained Bean Foggy turned around midfield but once jockey Ben Looker balanced him up he produced a sharp sprint to run down the leader Noble Missile, who looked the winner 300m out. Locally trained Wizard Of Oz darted along the fence to run second and give Warren Gavenlock his third runner in a Country Championships Final.
Race Record:(COFFS HARBOUR): 1:23.42 BAILEYS 2021
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Bean Foggy
2nd Wizard Of Oz
3rd Noble Missle
Time/Track 1:24.49(Good 4)
Location: COFFS HARBOUR
2022 Winner: Far Too Easy
2nd Zoukina
3rd Parksville
Time/Track 1:22.25(Good 4)
Location: GRAFTON
2021 Winner: Baileys
2nd Tara Jasmine
3rd Sugar Baby
Time/Track 1:23.42 (Soft 6)
Location: COFFS HARBOUR
2020 Winner: Plonka
2nd Gracie Belle
3rd Dreaming Of Biscay
Time/Track 1:24.62 (Good 4)
Location: GRAFTON
2019 Winner: La Scopa
2nd Queen Of Kingston
3rd Cinnamon Missile
Time/Track 1:21.98 (Good 4)
Location: GRAFTON
2018 Winner: Snitz
2nd Ferniehirst
3rd Iggy The Moocher
Time/Track 1:22.16 (Soft 5)
Location: GRAFTON
2017 Winner: Perfect Dare
2nd Free Standing
3rd Hotel Drive
Time/Track 1:21.40 (Soft 5)
Location: GRAFTON
2016 Winner: Profiler
2nd Ultimate Dreamer
3rd Legendary Luke
Time/Track 1:22.03 (Good 3)
Location: GRAFTON
2015 Winner: Redwolf
2nd Voltaire Lumiere
3rd Kareem’s Edge
Time/Track 1:22.01 (Good)
Location: GRAFTON
2023 South East Country Championship
Kimberley Secrets was the least experienced of the 14 runners vying for the SERA title at Moruya but that didn’t matter as now Queanbeyan based trainer Nick Olive’s filly led all the way and put herself in the mix for the Final. Jockey Jess Taylor bounced the three-year-old to the front and she travelled easily throughout the 1400m with only Testator Silens, last year’s winner, able to stay on her tail early in the straight. He made a bid to run her down and while the filly held him off to score by half a length he makes his way to the Final again. Matthew Dale’s Toretto ran on from the back along the inside to run third.
Race Record (MORUYA): 1:22.50 JULIAN ROCK 2020
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Kimberley Secrets
2nd Testator Silens
3rd Toretto
Time/Track 1:23.67 (Soft 6)
Location: Moruya
2022 Winner: Testator Silens
2nd To The Nines
3rd Blue Missile
Time/Track 1:21.56 (Good 4)
Location: NOWRA
2021 Winner: Art Cadeau
2nd Leg Work
3rd Rothenburg
Time/Track 1:23.50 (Soft 7)
Location: GOULBURN
2020 Winner: Julian Rock
2nd Al Mah Haha
3rd Irish Songs
Time/Track 1:22.50 (Soft 7)
Location: MORUYA
2019 Winner: Al Mah Haha
2nd Bocelli (JPN)
3rd Supreme Polarity
Time/Track 1:21.54 (Good 3)
Location: GOULBURN
2018 Winner: Kopi Luwak
2nd Pumpkin Pie
3rd Aquittal
Time/Track 1:20.98R (Good 4)
Location: GOULBURN
2017 Winner: Pumpkin Pie
2nd Steel Frost
3rd Chaquinta
Time/Track 1:22.48 (Good 4)
Location: GOULBURN
2016 Winner: Lofty’s Menu
2nd Bank on Henry
3rd Ashjata
Time/Track 1:23.20 (Soft 7)
Location: GOULBURN
2015 Winner: Without A Shadow
2nd Just A Blur
3rd Wings
Time/Track 1:22.00 (Good)
Location: GOULBURN
2023 Southern Districts Country Championship
Albury trainers continued their dominance when the Southern Districts Championships are held on their home track and it was Ron Stubbs, who saddled up three runners, who prevailed with Bianco Vilano. Ridden a patient race by jockey Jason Lyon, the gelding followed one of the favourites in Our Last Cash into the early part of the straight and was able to get across heels and let down with a powerful bust to race away for an almost two length win. Our Last Cash, trained locally by Donna Scott, held on for second giving Scott her fifth qualifier in the past six years, while Wagga trained Burrandana ran on late into third.
Race Record (ALBURY): 1:21.36 BIANCO VILANO 2023
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Bianco Vilano
2nd Our Last Cash
3rd Burrandana
Time/Track 1:21.36 (Good 4)
Location: Albury
2022 Winner: Another One
2nd Tap 'N' Run
3rd Gusonic
Time/Track 1:22.08 (Good 4)
Location: WAGGA
2021 Winner: Another One
2nd Bautista
3rd Takissacod
Time/Track 1:21.90 (Good 3)
Location: WAGGA
2020 Winner: Sky Call
2nd Bennelong Dancer
3rd Thistledo
Time/Track 1:22.90 (Good 3)
Location: Albury
2019 Winner: Bennelong Dancer
2nd Lady Mironton
3rd Forever Newyork
Time/Track 1:22.08 (Good 3)
Location: Albury
2018 Winner: O' So Hazy
2nd Bennelong Dancer
3rd Class Clown
Time/Track 1:23.17 (Good 4)
Location: Wagga Wagga
2017 Winner: Lautaro
2nd Forever Newyork
3rd Challenge Accepted
Time/Track 1:24.09 (Good 3)
Location: Albury
2016 Winner:Steakandbearnaise (NZ)
2nd Mitchell Road
3rd Lord Von Costa
Time/Track 1:22.81 (Good 3)
Location: WAGGA WAGGA
2015 Winner: Loved Up
2nd Yet Tobe Convinced
3rd High Opinion
Time/Track 1:23.94 (Good)
Location: WAGGA WAGGA
2023 Mid North Coast Country Championship
Terry Evans had the weight of a whole town on his shoulders as the only Tuncurry based trainer and his talented grey Sir Ravanelli didn’t let anyone down by taking the trainer to his first Country Championships Final. Despite drawing wide jockey Darryl McLellan had Sir Ravanelli outside the leader and when asked to go in the straight he sprinted away before holding off Imatruestar for a half length win. The runner-up is trained by Grant Jobson at Taree and he improved on his fourth place in the race in 2022. Last year’s Mid North Coast winner Swamp Nation finished third.
Race Record (TUNCURRY): 1:23.01 SIR RAVANELLI 2023
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Sir Ravanelli
2nd Imatruestar
3rd Swamp Nation
Time/Track 1:23.01 (Good 4)
Location: TUNCURRY
2022 Winner: Swamp Nation
2nd Little Prophet
3rd Zaru
Time/Track 1:23.33 (Good 4)
Location: TAREE
2021 Winner: Charmmebaby
2nd Subtle Grey
3rd Chase My Crown
Time/Track 1:21.80 (Good 4)
Location: SCONE
2020 Winner: Magnalane
2nd Casino Mondial
3rd Bellastar
Time/Track 1:25.13 (Heavy 9)
Location: Taree
2019 Winner: Lucciola Belle
2nd Texas Storm
3rd Awesome Pluck
Time/Track 1:11.79 (Good 3)
Location: Port Macquarie
2018 Winner: Victorem
2nd Awesome Pluck
3rd Portatorio
Time/Track 1:12.51 (Good 4)
Location: Port Macquarie
2017 Winner: Cogliere
2nd Shotgun Roulette
3rd Ever So Natural
Time/Track 1:25.22 (Soft 7)
Location: TAREE
2016 Winner: Another Valley
2nd Ever So Natural
3rd Marmaduke’s Lady
Time/Track 1:24.41 (Good 4)
Location: TAREE
2015 Winner: Sheza Gypsy
2nd Explosive Scene
3rd Rinn Pierre
Time/Track 1:11.75 (Good)
Location: PORT MACQUARIE
2023 Central Districts Country Championship
Mack Griffith won the first two editions of the Central Districts Country Championships and made it three when five-year-old Amicus Curiae, having his third attempt at the regional feature, overcame a wide run to charge over the top of his rivals and finally book a place at Royal Randwick. Jockey Mitchell Bell, who won the inaugural Country Championships Final on Artlee, timed his run perfectly and reported after the race he felt the horse did it easily. Bathurst galloper Possibly So, trained by Andrew Ryan, made a late bid from near last but failed by three-quarters of a length. Favourite De Forerunner finished a close third.
Race Record (MUDGEE): 1:22.81 HEALING HANDS 2020
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Amicus Curiae
2nd Possibly So
3rd De Forerunner
Time/Track 1:24.30 (Soft 5)
Location: MUDGEE
2022 Winner: Zoo Station
2nd Tags
3rd Lockdown Gamble
Time/Track 1:23.71 (Good 4)
Location: MUDGEE
2021 Winner: Old Harbour
2nd Hamogany
3rd Healing Hands
Time/Track 1:23.31 (Good 4)
Location: MUDGEE
2020 Winner: Healing Hands
2nd Electrified
3rd Tale Of The Kraut
Time/Track 1:22.81 (Good 3)
Location: Mudgee
2019 Winner: Soul Secrets
2nd Noel's Gift
3rd Barbass
Time/Track 1:24.15 (Good 4)
Location: Mudgee
2018 Winner: Cosmologist
2nd Noel's Gift
3rd Ori On Fire
Time/Track 1:33.91 (Heavy 8)
Location: Mudgee
2017 Winner: Distinctive Look
2nd Galaxy Warrior
3rd Jar of Hearts
Time/Track 1:23.07 (Good 3)
Location: WELLINGTON
2016 Winner: Pera Pera
2nd Iron Blue
3rd Heza Thief
Time/Track 1:23.50 (Good 3)
Location: WELLINGTON
2015 Winner: Binalong Road
2nd One Last Poet
3rd Hollywood Nell
Time/Track 1:22.52 (Good)
Location: BATHURST
2023 Hunter & North West Country Championship
With a record of eight starts for six wins it’s clear Akasawa is a real talent and that was evident as he beat a quality field in the typically strong Hunter & North West region to book his place in the Final. Trained at Scone by Paul Messara, the gelding was given a perfect run by Aaron Bullock, who rode five winners on the Champonships program, just behind the speed and he held him up as long as possible before pouncing on the leaders about 200m out prevailing by half a length in a close finish. Running Bear, trained at Muswellbrook by Jan Bowen, was gallant in defeat after hitting the lead briefly but also makes her way to Randwick. Casino Lord came from well back to run third, a nose behind Running Bear.
Race Record (TAMWORTH): 1:21.48 LIGULATE 2020
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Akasawa
2nd Running Bear
3rd Casino Lord
Time/Track 1:21.73 (Good 8)
Location: TAMWORTH
2022 Winner: Anethole
2nd Commando Hunt
3rd Banju
Time/Track 1:24.40 (Heavy 8)
Location: TAMWORTH
2021 Winner: Spiranac
2nd Pure Fuego
3rd Depth That Varies
Time/Track 1:22.37 (Good 4)
Location: TAMWORTH
2020 Winner: Ligulate
2nd Hit The Target
3rd Herzegovina/Fritz’s Factor (dead heat)
Time/Track 1:21.48 (Good 4)
Location: TAMWORTH
2019 Winner: Unbiased
2nd Tim's Principal
3rd Hit The Target
Time/Track 1:21.80 (Good 4)
Location: TAMWORTH
2018 Winner: Suncraze
2nd Caerless Choice
3rd Unbiased
Time/Track 1:22.44 (Good 3)
Location: SCONE
2017 Winner: Caerless Choice
2nd Nic's Vendetta
3rd All Summer Long
Time/Track 1:25.56 (Heavy 8)
Location: SCONE
2016 Winner: Clearly Innocent
2nd All Summer Long
3rd Sargeant Doakes
Time/Track 1:21.42 (Good 3)
Location: SCONE
2015 Winner: Voodoo Lad
2nd Tarangower
3rd In A Wink
Time/Track 1:24.57 (Soft)
Location: TAMWORTH
2023 Western Country Championship
Coonamble born and raised Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm capped his first WRA Country Championships win with the feel good story of 2023, eight-year-old comeback gelding Listen To The Band, taking out the $150,000 feature. It was Lundholm’s first win in the race but he’ll be heading to his third Final following Sons Of Bourke (2019) and Amulet Street last year. Jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes had planned to lead but Listen To The Band wasn’t the best away and he settled midfield before the hoop sent him to the lead before the turn. He had a short battle with Brett Robb’s Sizzle Minizzle, who didn’t have the easiest of runs either, before forging clear to beat that horse by a length. Lundholm, who had nine runners, also trained the third placed Smooth Esprit. Unfortunatley, Listen To The Band was ruled out of the Final through injury and Smooth Esprit takes his place
Race Record (COONAMBLE): 1:21.23 GREAT BUY 2022
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Listen To The Band
2nd Sizzle Minizzle
3rd Smooth Esprit
Time/Track 1:21.91 (Good 4)
Location: COONAMBLE
2022 Winner: Great Buy
2nd Amulet Street
3rd Ferus
Time/Track 1:21.23 (Good 4)
Location: COONAMBLE
2021 Winner: Activation
2nd Wild Rocket
3rd Jailbreak
Time/Track 1:23.14 (Soft 5)
Location: COONAMBLE
2020 Winner: Sneak Preview
2nd Fast Talking
3rd California Fox
Time/Track 1:22.15 (Good 3)
Location: COONAMBLE
2019 Winner: Westlink
2nd Sons Of Bourke
3rd Sprezzatura
Time/Track 1:23.15 (Good 4)
Location: DUBBO
2018 Winner: Good Host
2nd Sea Lady
3rd Incision
Time/Track 1:23.76 (Good 3)
Location: DUBBO
2017 Winner: Stoneyrise
2nd La La Loopsy
3rd Not For Export
Time/Track 1:22.19 (Good 3)
Location: DUBBO
2016 Winner: Something Borrowed
2nd Not A Shadow
3rd Farewell Julia
Time/Track 1:23.15 (Soft 5)
Location: DUBBO
2015 Winner: Dane De Lago
2nd Yes Zariz
3rd Playing Game
Time/Track 1:22.20 (Good)
Location: DUBBO
2023 Northern Wild Card Country Championship
Talbragar had never raced beyond 1200m going into his assignment in the Northern Wild Card and though he’d also only been beaten once in five starts there were doubts over his ability to run a strong 1400m. Jockey Aaron Bullock bounced Talbragar to the front early before taking a trail behind Russley Crown and the pair turned the race into a two-horse battle from a long way out. Russley Crown skipped away coming to the home turn and early in the straight held a couple of lengths advantage over Talbragar. Any doubts over the latter at the distance would surely be found out but Talbragar proved the stronger and edged away from Russley Crown over the last 100m to win and give Cody Morgan a runner in the Final. Scone trained The Dramatist ran on from well back into third.
Race Record (SCONE): 1:21.12 CAVALIER CHARLES 2022
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Talbragar
2nd Russley Crown
3rd The Dramatist
Time/Track 1:22.24 (Good 4)
Location: SCONE
2022 Winner: Cavalier Charles
2nd Edit
3rd Banju
Time/Track 1:21.12 (Good 4)
Location: SCONE
2021 Winner: Plonka
2nd Rothenburg
3rd Blue Missile
Time/Track 1:16.63 (Soft 7)
Location: MUSWELLBROOK
2020 Winner: Two Big Fari
2nd Bobbing
3rd Luna Mia
Time/Track 1:12.83 (Good 3)
Location: MUSWELLBROOK
2019 Winner: Noble Boy
2nd Safe Landing
3rd Moobi
Time/Track 1:16.60 (Heavy 8)
Location: Muswellbrook
2018 Winner: Don't Give A Damn
2nd My Tagoson
3rd Vega De Lago
Time/Track 1:14.40 (Good 4)
Location: Muswellbrook
2017 Winner: Pelerin
2nd After All That
3rd All Summer Long
Time/Track 1:17.81 (Soft 7)
Location: SCONE
2016 Winner: Chrysolaus
2nd Ashjata
3rd Kyogle Town
Time/Track 1:15.06 (Good 3)
Location: MUSWELLBROOK
2015 Winner: Artlee
2nd Rose’s Song
3rd Because We All Can
Time/Track 1:13.96 (Good)
Location: MUSWELLBROOK
2023 Southern Wild Card Country Championship
Canberra trainer Matthew Kelley secured his first Newhaven Park Country Championships Final runner when the lightly raced I’ve Bean Tryin’ produced a strong late burst to win the inaugural Southern Wild Card. The four-year-old had finished midfield in the South East Championships at Moruya. Jockey Ellen Hennessy settled the gelding three wide with cover and was spotting the leaders a big head start when they cornered. Just as local galloper To The Nines, trained by Tash Burleigh, looked the winner I’ve Bean Tryin’ reeled him in to steal the berth in the $500,000 Final. Albury galloper Tap ‘N’ Run worked his way through the field to finish third.
Race Record (GOULBURN): 1:23.17 I'VE BEAN TRYIN' 2023
-
2023
2023 Winner: I've Bean Tryin'
2nd To The Nines
3rd Tap 'N' Run
Time/Track 1:23.17 (Soft 5)
Location: Goulburn
Country Championship Final – Royal Randwick
In a huge result for the Western District, the Brett Robb trained Sizzle Minizzle broke new ground for the Newhaven Park Country Championships as the three-year-old defied market expectations to score a runaway win. After finishing second at Coonamble to qualify for the Final, little was expected of the gelding but jockey Sam Clipperton positioned him midfield on the fence and saved ground when others drifted off in the straight. He hit the lead with 100m to go and forged clear in the heavy conditions. Talbragar, trained by Cody Morgan, sat handy and while he was under pressure before the home turn he rallied to hold down second and the Canberra trained I’ve Bean Tryin’, prepared by Matthew Kelley, made a long run from the back of the field to snatch third.
Race Record: 1-21.51 VICTOREM 2018
-
2023
-
2022
-
2021
-
2020
-
2019
-
2018
-
2017
-
2016
-
2015
2023 Winner: Sizzle Minizzle
2nd Talbragar
3rd I've Bean Tryin'
Time/Track 1:26.54 (Heavy 8)
2022 Winner: Another One
2nd Commando Hunt
3rd Amulet Street
Time/Track 1:27.32 (Heavy 9)
2021 Winner: Art Cadeau
2nd Another One
3rd Charmmebaby
Time/Track 1:25.23 (Soft 7)
2020 Winner: Gracie Belle
2nd Al Mah Haha
3rd Plonka
Time/Track 1:26.48 (Heavy 8)
2019 Winner: Noble Boy
2nd Luciolla Belle
3rd Bennelong Dancer
Time/Track 1:24.72 (Soft 7)
2018 Winner: Victorem
2nd Don't Give A Damn
3rd O'So Hazy
Time/Track 1:21.51 (Good 4)
2017 Winner: Free Standing
2nd After All That
3rd Not For Export
Time/Track 1:26.63 (Heavy 8)
2016 Winner: Clearly Innocent
2nd Pera Pera
3rd Ever So Natural
Time/Track 1:24.52 (Soft 6)
2015 Winner: Artlee
2nd Tarangower
3rd Voodoo Lad
Time/Track 1:24.44 (Heavy)