Racing NSW has announced that the Provincial Championships will be run as the Provincial-Midway Championships in 2022, with more than $1.5 million in prizemoney on offer.
This means that there will be an increase of $300,000 in prizemoney, while there will be seven qualifying races worth $150,000, with all roads leading to the $500,000 final at Royal Randwick during The Championships on April 9.
The qualifying races will comprise:
– Three races for Provincial-trained horses only, with first and second placegetters qualifying for the Final;
– Three races for Provincial-trained and also Midway eligible horses, with first and second placegetters qualifying for the Final;
– One Wild Card race open to horses that had competed in one of the qualifying races, with the first three placegetters qualifying for the Final.
Throwback Thursday
After being set for the race a full preparation out by @Leesracing CRISTAL BREEZE (Gale Force Ten x Sapphire Spray) stormed to victory in the $500k Provincial Championships Final with @HugeBowman aboard
Bring on next year’s Championships
pic.twitter.com/vrpfi18kaf
— Australian Bloodstock Updates (@ausbloodstock2) August 19, 2021
“This expansion of the Provincial Championships builds on the recent success of the Midway concept and provides even more opportunities for owners to earn prizemoney and compete at The Star Championships at Royal Randwick,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V’landys.
The qualifying race dates and venues are as follows:
| Date | Venue | Distance | Prizemoney | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 24 Feb 2022 | Newcastle | 1400m | $150,000 | Provincial/Midway |
| Saturday, 5 Mar 2022 | Hawkesbury | 1400m | $150,000 | Provincial only |
| Friday, 11 Mar 2022 | Kembla Grange | 1400m | $150,000 | Provincial/Midway |
| Saturday, 12 Mar 2022 | Gosford | 1400m | $150,000 | Provincial only |
| Thursday, 17 Mar 2022 | Newcastle | 1400m | $150,000 | Provincial/Midway |
| Saturday, 26 Mar 2022 | Wyong | 1400m | $150,000 | Provincial only |
| Thursday, 31 Mar 2022 | Newcastle | 1400m | $150,000 | Wild Card – all |
| Saturday, 9 Apr 2022 | Randwick | 1400m | $500,000 | Final |
To be eligible to race in these races, horses cannot have had more than 20 starts prior to the race.
