Current & Past Winners

2024 Northern Rivers Country Championships

Matthew Dunn heralded his return after a few years' absence from the Country Championships by providing the quinella with Tribeca Star and Rainbow Connection. It was Dunn's fourth win in the NRRA Championships. Jockey Matthew McGuren was in peak form with five winners at the meeting and it was a 10/10 on Tribeca Star, he slotted into a midfield spot and gained the split early in the straight to drive the gelding clear and hold off the challengers. Rainbow Connection had a tougher run and just held David McColm's Fairway Choice for the second spot to book his place at Randwick. The race was originally scheduled for Lismore but rain late in the week forced a move to Grafton.

Race record (GRAFTON) - 1:21.40 PERFECT DARE 2017

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Tribeca Star
2nd Rainbow Connection
3rd Fairway Choice
Time/Track: 1:23.97 (Soft 5)
LOCATION: GRAFTON

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

2024 South East Country Championships

Plenty has been expected of Bandi's Boy since his debut in a Group 3 race and though he didn't have the build up Danny Williams would have liked his class shone through to hand the Goulburn trainer his third SERA Championships. Despite a wide barrier, Jay Ford had the four-year-old positioned with cover just off midfield and once he moved to the outside in the straight he showed his quality as he mowed down the leaders. Stablemate Atmospheric Rock and Aaron Clarke's Bon Frankie were fighting out the race at the 150m before the winner swooped on them with the former prevailing for second to hand Williams the quinella.

Race Record (MORUYA): 1:22.50 JULIAN ROCK 2020

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Bandi's Boy
2nd Atmospheric Rock
3rd Bon Frankie
Time/Track: 1:22.62 (Good 4)
Location: MORUYA

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

2024 Southern Districts Country Championships

A perfectly executed plan by Albury trainer Ron Stubbs paid off when Bianco Vilano became just the second horse to win two regional Championships, joining Another One who was SDRA champion in both 2021 and 2022. Stubbs enlisted champion jockey Craig Williams for the ride on Bianco Vilano and he brought the gelding with a well timed run from worse than midfield to swoop on his rivals and etch his name in history. It was a narrow win, and that's largely due to the fight shown by runner-up Asgarda, giving Wagga trainer Doug Gorrel his first runner in the Final, when the defending champion ranged up. Baledon, the older brother to the winner, improved on his 2023 position to run a close third.

Race Record (ALBURY): 1:21.36 BIANCO VILANO 2023

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Bianco Vilano
2nd Asgarda
3rd Baledon
Time/Track: 1:21.93 (Good 3)
LOCATION: Albury

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

2024 Mid North Coast Country Championships

Port Macquarie trainer Marc Quinn didn’t love the prospect of a heavy track heading into the Tuncurry feature but that didn’t bother Auzstar as the gelding turned the race into a one act affair. Jockey Matthew McGuren pounced on the lead and when the horse kicked away around the turn it was all over. Quinn’s attention turned to where his other runner Agirlsbestfriend was and she stormed down the outside after being a clear last early to give the trainer the quinella and book her place in the Final. Bantarki, trained by Tony Ball, ran third.

Race Record (TUNCURRY): 1:23.01 SIR RAVANELLI 2023

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Auzstar
2nd Agirlsbestfriend
3rd Bantarki
Time/Track: 1:26.50 (Heavy 10)
Location: TUNCURRY

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

2024 Central Districts Country Championships

It was a case of third time lucky for Mudgee trainer David Smith and his six-year-old gelding Lockdown Gamble having contested the race in 2022 and 2023 without success, though he did earn a call up for the 2022 Final after he ran third and the qualifiers couldn’t take their place. Aaron Bullock put Lockdown Gamble in a striking position better than midfield and while it took all the Mudgee straight to get there he arrived near the line to a popular local win. The runner-up Musical Affair gave Mack Griffith another finalist after her cheeky showing from the front while Ida’s Rules finished in third for Dean Mirfin.

Race Record (MUDGEE): 1:22.81 HEALING HANDS 2020

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Lockdown Gamble
2nd Musical Affair
3rd Ida’s Rules
Time/Track: 1:23.13 (Good 4)
Location: MUDGEE

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

2024 Hunter & North West Country Championships

A big moment for apprentice Mitchell Stapleford as he posted the most important win of his career guiding the Scott Singleton trained Russley Crown to a dominant win at Tamworth. But it didn't go all to plan after the gelding was slowly away and the 21-year-old sent him around the field to find the lead midrace. From there he was a juggernaut and just kept going. Fellow Scone trainer Lyle Chandler's lightly raced mare Rapbidash raced just behind the main bunch and arrived in time to book her spot at Randwick by running second, she lost a bit of momentum around the turn but balanced up and hit the line strongly ahead of the Brett Cavanough trained Sting Jet in third.

Race Record (TAMWORTH): 1:21.20 RUSSLEY CROWN 2024

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Russley Crown
2nd Rapbidash
3rd Sting Jet
Time/Track: 1:21.20/Good 4
Location: TAMWORTH

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

2024 Western Country Championships

Dar Lunn has already experienced a Country Championships Final, running third in 2017, but for the first time he heads to Sydney with a winner after Tommy Berry produced a perfectly judged ride to lead all the way on Elson Boy. The gelding has come of age winning five of his last nine starts, each time from the front. He had enough in hand to hold off the favourite Gallant Star, trained by Brett Robb, who settled worse than midfield before winding up to just miss. Last year's winner Listen To The Band finished a creditable and very close third at his first start since the 2023 edition.

Race Record (COONAMBLE): 1:21.23 GREAT BUY 2022

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st Elson Boy
2nd Gallant Star
3rd Listen To The Band
Time/Track: 1:23.15 (Soft 5)
Location: COONAMBLE

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

2024 Northern Wild Card Country Championships

That's Molly was considered one of the leading chances in the Mid North Coast race at Tuncurry but a heavy track and wide gate put paid to her hopes. Trainer Glen Milligan refocused on the Wild Card and while she again drew wide hatched a plan to allow her to find her feet on a firmer surface and unleash in the long run home at Scone. The mare, and jockey Ash Morgan, delivered despite being unwanted in betting and swept home down the outside to beat Sharp Shock and Belvedere Boys and win her way to Randwick.

Race Record (SCONE): 1:21.12 CAVALIER CHARLES 2022

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

1st That's Molly
2nd Sharp Shock
3rd Belvedere Boys
Time/Track: 1:22.69 (Soft 6)
Location: SCONE

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

2024 Southern Wild Card Country Championships

Goulburn trainer Danielle Seib secured her first runner in a Country Championships Final when the lightly raced Associate lived right up to plenty of support to win the final ticket into the $1 million race. Ridden patiently by Zac Lloyd, the four-year-old worked into the clear near the tail on the home turn and picked up several lengths with a sharp turn of foot to run down Zouatica, who looked the winner when he challenged the leader at the 200m, with Bon Frankie, as he did at Moruya, finished in third place.

Race Record (GOULBURN): 1:23.17 I'VE BEAN TRYIN' 2023

2024
2023

1st Associate
2nd Zouatica
3rd Bon Frankie
Time/Track: 1:24.09 (Soft 7)
Location: GOULBURN

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)