Country racing gets a benefit of some of those spoils through the $400,000 Country Championship Final on April 2

But to be eligible for the first prize of $210,000 or the prizemoney down to $2000 for running last, horses trained in the Mid North Coast Racing Association, that is Taree, Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Kempsey and Tuncurry, must run first or second in the $100,000 qualifying heat at Taree Wingham Race Club's big TAB meeting on Sunday, February 28, or run similar placings in the Muswellbrook Wild card race on March 27.

This meeting will boast many attractions to entice a big crowd to the course but as far as owners and trainers are concerned they want a piece of the record country prizemoney of $240,000, plus bonuses, on offer for the eight-race card.

First prizemoney is $57,500 for winning the heat, more than what is given for regular races in the city on a Saturday, with prizemoney down to $1000 given for the 10th placed horse.

The BOBS bonus of up to $36,000 can be won,so the incentive to win is paramount.

But firstly, lead-up races at meetings at Taree or elsewhere will play an important part in conditioning aspirants for The Championships and one of those pencilled in is at Krambach Race Club's TAB meeting on Tuesday.

It is the Country Championships Preview Class 4 Handicap over 1300m which also doubles in prestige by being the annual Hannam Vale Cup.

Another likely race to be targeted is the Class 2 Plate over 1400m.

The cup, on a card boasting $120,000 prize money, is again sponsored by the Coopernook Hotel where an old cream-can and an embroidered horse rug donated by Ken and Jan Rowe is up for grabs.

Entry to the meeting is free and a free bus will bring patrons, starting at the Hannam Vale Shop at 11.45am, to and from the Bushland Drive Racecourse, inquiries to Les Cross on 6556 7627.