Randwick Tips for Country Championship 2024

Launched in 2015 by Racing NSW, the Country Championships have become a cornerstone of regional racing.

This series of seven races spans across different NSW regions, with each race boasting a $150,000 purse.

Only horses under country trainers qualify for the high-stakes competition.

The top two from each regional race secure a spot in the $1,000,000 final at Royal Randwick on April 6, 2024, signalling the start of The Championships.

 

Country Championships - 1400m - Set Weights

 

General Stats

• Danny Williams has a 14.9% POT over the last year when he brings his runners to Randwick (5/22)
• Barriers 1,2,5,6 are the most successful barriers over the 1400m sprint.

 

Bandi Boy - Moruya Qualifier

Originally, I wanted to oppose him, but after going back through his runs this preparation and previous ones, his form looks panels above for a race of this nature.

As a 2YO he knocked off Zougotcha who recently won the G1 Coolmore Classic and he’s continued to improve at every trip to the racetrack. The one negative is his racing pattern as he hasn’t settled forward in his races.

If he draws an inside barrier with speed out wide, they will cross him and he will need luck to weave a passage.

He has come up short in All-In markets so best to see where he draws before backing him in. If he draws gates 5+ he is the horse to beat.

 

Tribeca Star - Grafton Qualifier

He showed plenty of promise as a young horse but he probably hasn’t kicked on as many were hoping.

He is another who gets back in his races and he often sets himself too big of a task.

If I want to be critical, he has been racing against QLD horses in the past few preparations that he should have put away yet continues to find one better on the day.

I’m happy to oppose him this Saturday at the current price.

 

Bianco Vilano - Albury Qualifier

4th in last year’s edition and he was the hard luck story of the race.

He got caught three wide the trip and rearward but still charged to the line to grab 4th.

He is more tactically versatile than the two horses we have mentioned previously and can settle further forward in the run.

Connections have had this marked in their calendar for a long time and will be out for revenge.

I can entertain him at the $9-10 quote on offer.

 

Gallant Star - Coonamble Qualifier

He hasn’t kicked on like I was hoping to.

He should have taken care of that field at Coonamble and was disappointing.

He has had a spaced campaign and that could be in his favour being one of the freshest horses on the scene.

I am happy to pass on at this stage.

 

Agirlsbestfriend - Tuncurry Qualifier (2nd)

She has had a long campaign and while she has had some great efforts, asking to peak on Grand Final day being her 7th run this campaign is a big ask.

She has a lethal turn of foot but probably hasn’t been tested against this level of opposition.

Her one run at Randwick was inconclusive and most of her Highways have been at Rosehill.

She will be some training effort to get her home, but happy to watch without my money on.

 

Associate - Wild Card Entry (Goulburn)

There is a real sense of timing with this Seib trained runner.

He had the barrier against him in the Moruya Qualifier won by Bandi’s boy when settling last and rattling home between runners.

He then destroyed the wild card field when backed off the map in the final 30 min before start time.

The level of improvement fourth up here is the key but he gives every indication he could measure up.

The value of the field at the $13 quote.

 

Rapbidash - Tamworth Qualifier (2nd)

She looks the best roughie in the race at the $21 quote.

She is set to peak here 4th up and his closing sectionals have been great at his last two starts.

She should have gone close to winning the Rosehill Highway taken out by Belvedere Boys two back when squeezed for room at a crucial time.

She looks like a genuine 1600m horse of the future so will appreciate a strongly run race here.

 

Hypothetical $100 bet plan

• $20 ew Bianco Vilano
• $20 ew Associate
• $10 ew Rapidash