A meeting between officials of Racing NSW and the Canberra Racing Club has failed to determine whether Canberra trainers are country or provincial. 
The meeting was called over a proposed rule change that would prevent Canberra stables tackling Sydney’s TAB Highway Handicap series, which is restricted to country-trained horses. 
The proposed change was a result of complaints made by country trainers at recent Racing NSW forums around rural NSW. 
Not surprisingly, the move was strongly opposed by Canberra trainers and connections of horses trained in the national capital. 
“A lot of owners have put in submissions and the club has put together a lot of data,” said Canberra trainer Matthew Dale, who as the winner of nine TAB Highway Handicaps has been the main target of the complaints. 
“I think there’s a bit of a misconception that Canberra may have become provincial when we were put in the Provincial Championships. 
“We are well and truly country and our licences have been renewed as country trainers.”
Canberra trainers and owners got some joy from the recent meeting, with Racing NSW officials announcing that they would be allowed to continue contesting Highway Handicaps for the next three months. 
The decision means that Canberra-trained gallopers be eligible for the $200,000 Anniversary Handicap at Randwick on Everest day, October 14. 
A final decision on the status of Canberra trainers will now be determined by the body’s regulatory board. 
The decision will be interesting. There has been a strong push of late to have country trainers protected from constant raids on country race meetings by metropolitan trainers. 
If the board decides to ban Canberra trainers from Highway Handicaps in order to protect country trainers, it will only strengthen that case.
Mel’s Sun snaps streak
A dominant win in the Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap at Randwick last Saturday ended a frustrating run of six consecutive seconds for the Melanie O’Gorman-trained Suncraze. 
The Tamworth gelding, ridden by Corey Brown, settled well back in the field as expected from his wide barrier. 
Aided by a solid pace and relishing the rise in distance from 1200 to 1400 metres, Suncraze ($2.60 favourite) quickly reeled in the leaders in the straight, dashing away to record an easy three-length victory.
“I knew he had the ability, I think everyone can see that,” O’Gorman said. 
“He’s just been a tricky horse. It’s a big relief (for me) and for his owners, who have been really patient. 
“I always thought he’d run a mile (1600m) to 2000 metres and I didn’t want to mess with his style of racing at the shorter distances, because I was hoping you’d see the best when he got 1400 metres to a mile,” O’Gorman told media.
Following the win, O’Gorman announced that Suncraze would now be set for the $200,000 Anniversary Highway (1400m), restricted to horses that have started in a Highway Handicap and are still trained in the country. 
“You don’t get many shots at a race like that for country horses. It’s a real incentive for owners, so we should have a go and aim for that,” she said. 
Unlike the Highway Handicaps, which are run under the class system, the Anniversary will be run under the benchmark system as a benchmark 80. 
The change doesn’t concern O’Gorman. 
“This win will definitely help boost his rating,” she said.
Lees likes Sound
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will set ex-New Zealand galloper Sound Proposition, a Group 1 winner back home, for the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and possibly the Epsom Handicap at Randwick after the gelding scored a hard-fought win in the ATC Heritage Volunteers Handicap (1800m) at Randwick last Saturday. 
Sound Proposition ($3.50 favourite) and Victorian galloper Loyalty Man ($3.70) settled down to fight out the finish over the final 200 metres, with the Lees galloper prevailing by just a head. Third placegetter Jacqinot Bay was a further 4¼ lengths away.
“He only just got the job done, but there was some real toughness in that win,” Lees said. “He’s a nice horse and a race like the Cameron Handicap at home would be a great race for him to target now. He might even be a lightweight Epsom chance.”
Salerno swoops
The 1000-metre benchmark 75 at Randwick saw apprentice Courtney Van Der Werf bring up back-to-back wins on another Newcastle galloper, the Paul Perry-trained Salerno.
Van Der Werf settled her mount midfield and was still conceding a start to most of her rivals approaching the turn. 
In the straight however, Salerno ($31) finished strongly to run down Cudabeen and score by a half-length. 
Tamworth backs the Joneses
On Thursday August 24 the Tamworth Jockey Club will host a fundraiser in aid of the family of popular jockey Darren Jones, who was tragically killed in a three-horse fall at Warialda in April. 
Hugh Bowman and Malcolm Johnston will be the guest speakers, while Sky Racing’s Greg Radley will host the function. 
An auction will be held, with the most popular item likely to be a set of signed Winx silks. 
Tickets are $50 a head and can be booked by phoning the club on (02) 6765 9387.