MANNING Valley Race Club will honour the area’s four rugby league State of Origin stars by naming races after them at Sunday’s meeting at Bushland Drive.
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Holli Wheeler was a member of the NSW team that won the first women’s State of Origin clash against Queensland last Friday night in front of 7000 spectators at North Sydney Oval.
Boyd Cordner led the Blues to the series clinching win on Sunday night, where he was named player of the match, while Latrell Mitchell scored one of the tries. Former Blues skipper Danny Buderus was an assistant coach. All were born in Taree. The series success was just NSW’s second in 13 years. Buderus also captained NSW to series wins in 2004 and 2005.
Sunday’s meeting will start with the Danny Buderus Class 2 Handicap at 12.05.
Race six on the program will be the Boyd Cordner Benchmark 63 Handicap with the Holli Wheeler F&M Benchmark 55 Handicap to follow.
The last race will be the Latrell Mitchell CG&E Benchmark 55 Handicap.
Also on the card is the Congratulations the Mighty Blues Maiden Handicap.
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Race club chairman Greg Coleman said all four deserved to be recognised.
“To think the Manning can produce three State of Origin representatives in the one year is amazing,’’ Mr Coleman said.
“A mate of mine from Queensland text me this week and told me how much he loves the name of the races. They’ve helped make us proud again to live in the Premier State.’’
Mitchell, Cordner and Buderus will have commitments with the NRL this weekend – Cordner and Mitchell will be in Adelaide tonight for the match against Melbourne Storm while Buderus works for Fox Sports. However, Wheeler, who lives at Old Bar, intends to be trackside on Sunday.
“It's awesome and I was really surprised when Greg told me about it,’’ she said.
“The support I’ve been getting from the community is amazing. I’ll be getting dressed up and having a day at the races – it's amazing.’’
Meanwhile it has been confirmed Wheeler will play for St George in the inaugural Holden Women’s Premiership this season.
Her signing was announced by the Dragons on Wednesday. Wheeler revealed in the Times earlier this week she had finalised negotiations with the club.
"This opportunity is something I never thought I'd be able to do. It's absolutely amazing to not only sign for myself but also for my family at home," Wheeler told NRL.com.
"It's been a crazy couple of weeks playing for Country and Origin, and now signing with the Dragons. I wouldn't change anything for the world. I'm keen to rip in and get involved with what a great club that the Dragons are, as well as learn as much as I can."
