MURRAY READY FOR ANOTHER CRACK AT PROVINCIAL-MIDWAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

NEARLY 12 months on from the utter disappointment of losing the chance to win the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final, Paul Murray is ready for another crack.

The Kembla Grange trainer has targeted Saturday’s fourth PMC Qualifier (1200m) at Gosford with his dual city winner Harry’s Bar.

And he will team with the same jockey Jean Van Overmeire after the pair was primed to take Final honours in April last year with the now retired Welcometobarbados.

The mare’s withdrawal only days before the Final because of injury was especially hard to take as she had beaten Lord Of Biscay and Matcha Latte in a Newcastle Qualifier (1400m).

Unfortunately it was to be her last race as Murray was forced to watch on as Matcha Latte defeated  Lord Of Biscay in the Final.

“Hard to believe it is almost a year ago,” Murray said this evening.

“But you have to move on, and hopefully we can get Harry’s Bar to the Final this year.

“She hasn’t raced since October 11 when third in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens, and we stopped with her to focus on the Provincial-Midway Championships.

“The plan always was to go to Gosford for 1200m first-up, and the nominations look pretty strong.

“If Harry’s Bar doesn’t qualify (finish first or second), we have the option of going to another Qualifier (1350m) at Wyong a fortnight later.”

Whilst Murray had no doubts about Welcometobarbados running a strong 1400m in last year’s Final (four of her five career wins had been at that distance), he isn’t as confident with Harry’s Bar.

“The only time she has tackled 1400m was at her last start at Rosehill, and she didn’t run badly at all when beaten less than two lengths,” he said.

“She might struggle to run 1400m right out, but the prizemoney ($1m) for the Final is so good that you have to have a shot if you’re good enough to qualify.

“Harry’s Bar has had a jumpout and a couple of gallops between races at home, and I’m very pleased with her.”

Saturday’s Qualifier is for both eligible provincial and Midway horses, and drew 19 entries; 13 of them from the provincials.

Warwick Farm trainer Bryce Heys has nominated the unbeaten four-year-old Banjora (three from three, including a last start midweek Rosehill victory on February 25), who is currently a $6 second favorite for the April 11 Final behind last year’s winner Matcha Latte ($3).

Heys also nominated Mailata, and there are other dual entries from Newcastle’s Kris Lees (Hawker Hall and Night Agent), and Hawkesbury’s Brad Widdup (Audrey’s Lane and Young Mister Grace).

Gosford trainers Kylie Gavenlock (Dietrich) and Neil Ward (Stratafy) are the sole local trainers with nominations.

. The rail will be in the TRUE position for the Gosford meeting, and 16 horses are permitted to start in the Qualifier if there are sufficient acceptors.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 9, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS