Clubs have welcomed newly announced funding boosts to five country features around the state.
The Port Macquarie Cup (October 6), Goulburn Cup (November 26), Wellington Boot (April 8), Tamworth Cup (April 29) and Wagga Town Plate (May 3) will now carry prizemoney oif $150,000 each. 
In announcing the increases, Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys said: “These are well established country feature races. The increase will provide impetus for the clubs to further develop these race meetings and build their recognition not only within racing, but to their local community.”
In the case of Port Macquarie Cup day, the cup boost, combined with increases for Country Showcase meetings, will see the total prize pool for the eight-race card soar to $390,000. 
Goulburn District Racing Club chief executive Robyn Fife called the increases “a fantastic boost for country racing”. 
“It’s a win-win for all, trainers, owners, patrons and of course, the country race clubs.” 
Her sentiments were shared by Wellington Race Club’s Ian Griffin, who said: “We’re over the moon,” and Tamworth Jockey Club general manager Kay Jeffrey, who added, “We’re absolutely thrilled.”
While trainers and owners are sure to benefit from the increases, the question is which trainers and owners? 
Will the majority of prizemoney end up lining the pockets of powerful metropolitan and provincial stables at the expense of the country trainers and owners who support these clubs year in and year out?
Tagoson too good
Scone galloper My Tagoson ($4.20), trained by Rod Northam and ridden by Hugh Bowman, scored a decisive and well earned win in last Saturday’s Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap (1600m) at Randwick. 
Bowman settled the gelding midfield on the rails before shifting out and beginning his move approaching the turn. 
On entering the straight, Bowman had the $3.50 favourite, Arrestar trapped on his inside. 
At the top of the Randwick rise, Bowman drove My Tagoson to the front. The five-year-old then hit the line strongly, scoring by 2¼ lengths from Last Try Wins with Chadana in third place.
”I would have liked something to take us a bit further into the race, but I didn’t want to break his stride,” Bowman said. 
“He’s a beautiful big mover and enjoyed the firm ground. He probably had a class edge on them.”
My Tagoson has now recorded two wins and five placings from just 11 starts, having run second at three of five previous appearances this campaign. Judged on Saturday’s performance, there are more wins in store. 
Arrestar meanwhile was hopelessly blocked for much of the straight before finishing sixth. The run should be forgotten.
Cejay stars
Port Macquarie apprentice Cejay Graham, who featured in this column a few weeks ago, is riding in tremendous form at present. 
Less than three weeks into the new season, Graham had ridden eight winners, taking her career total to 21, a remarkable achievement for someone who only had her first race ride in May. 
“The support I’ve had has been unbelievable,” Graham told me.
Randiki, just
There were a swag of country cups run over last weekend, with Friday’s Hopkins Livermore Cup (1400m) at Taree leading the way.
Randiki ($11), trained at Wyong by Kylie Gavenlock and ridden by Corey O’Brien, scored in a thrilling finish by a short head from $51 chance Annandale Lass with the well supported Anecdote ($5) in third. 
Ruary arrives
The following day saw the running of the Leeton Toyota Narrandera Cup (1400m), which unfortunately attracted just five starters. 
It was won by Victorian raider Ruary Mac ($4), trained at Wangaratta by Chris Davis and ridden by apprentice Rebeka Prest. 
Inner Strength finished second, with the favourite Benno’s Boy third. 
On the same day, out west at Gilgandra, the feature Collie Hotel Collie Cup (1300m) went to the $4 favourite, Yes Zariz, trained by Bruce Parker and ridden by apprentice, Kaylee Kirkwood. 
The seven-year-old finished strongly, to win drawing away from Also a Star and Track Flash.

Revenge romp

At Moruya on Sunday, the South Coast Registered Clubs Cup (1435m) saw the Paul Murray-trained O’Reilly’s Revenge make light of his 63.5kg burden, proving too strong over the concluding stages to record a convincing win over Appoint Percy, with Dashie de Luxe in third place. 
“It was a good win,” said Murray. “They set a quick pace and made him carry his weight, then he got tightened up a bit at the top of the straight.” 
Winning jockey Jeff Penza said the $2.10 favourite “ dug deep when it counted”. 
“He’s a classy horse,” Penza added. 
Pirate scoops booty
Punters weren’t quite as happy after Sunday’s feature at Taree on the mid north coast.
The $80,000 Stacks Law Firm Taree Cup (2000m) saw $31 pop Pirate Ben race away to an emphatic win over Egyptian Ruler, with the favourite, Admiral Jello, third. 
The winner is trained at Wyong by Damien Lane and was ridden by Travis Wolfgram. 
“He was strong late,” said Lane. “He’s a three-time city winner and he’s been a little unlucky at his last couple of runs, so it’s good to see him back in the winner’s circle.” 

Wolf strikes again
A freshen-up had the desired result for the Brett Cavanough-trained Avroson, who was back to his best on Monday in taking out the Hopefuel Gunnedah Cup (1600m). 
In a tight finish, Avroson ($4.40), ridden by the in-form Travis Wolfgram, just staved off the challenge of Mishani Stealth, with favourite Present Sense in third place. 
Avroson’s win was something of a form reversal, following his last-start 12.6-length ninth of nine at Randwick on July 22. 
He will now be aimed at the Dubbo Cup (September 17).