Country action comes to Sandown

COUNTRY racing is considered the kindergarten of thoroughbred racing, and all contestants hope to one day graduate to metropolitan company and glory.
That opportunity for regular provincial performers comes at Sandown this Saturday, with the running of the $75,500 Sandown Country Cup over 1600 metres on the Lakeside track.
To qualify, horses need to have raced at least four times in a non-metropolitan race in Australia between 21 April 21, 2006 and 20 April 20, 2007 inclusive.
The other feature event will be running of the $56,000 Redleap Steeplechase over 3450 metres and 13 fences.
The event is a lead-up to the exciting five weeks of jumps racing classics in June and early July when horses will compete for $1,233,000 in prize money at Sandown.
It kicks off with the VRC Grand National Preview Day on 2 Jun.
Two weeks later the Melbourne Racing Club will conduct its $101,500 Australian Hurdle over 3400 metres and $101,500 Australian Steeplechase over 3900 metres.
A fortnight later the VRC will stage the $252,000 Grand National Hurdle over 4300 metres at Sandown and a week later Sandown will host the $252,000 Grand National Steeplechase over 4500 metres.
That day also features the VRC Winter Championship.
That will be five weeks of the most exciting cross country racing in the nation on Australia’s best metropolitan jumping circuit.
Sandown Country Cup Day is one of the feature days of the 44 race dates, including seven transferred from Flemington, programmed at Sandown for the 2006-07 racing season.
Free entertainment on Saturday will include a jumping castle, while attractive dining packages are also available and bookings can be made by phoning 9257 7100.
Course admission on Saturday is $8 for adults, $5 concession and children under 18 accompanied by an adult are admitted free.