Countdown to Country Cups championship

There are just two more qualifying races left for the $100,000 Country Cups championship final at Addington on April 16 - and they are both on this weekend.

The Winton Cup (3.39pm) is the penultimate event on Saturday, followed by the Mt Hutt Cup (3.13pm) at Methven on Sunday and it will be the last chance for several contenders to make the field.

Winton is a Gold status race meaning there are more points for the top four (10-5-3-2) while Methven is Silver (7-4-2-1). The top 16 horses - as long as they have met the qualifying criteria - will get a start in the 3200 metre race.

At the moment many currently outside the bubble could force their way into the final with good performances. They include the likes of Paddyproudfoot, who'll start in the Winton Cup, and Corravalley Star and Buckskin at Methven. 

The final two Cups are the last of what will be 33 qualifying races for the Listed race on Easter Saturday. The first race was the Kurow Cup in August last year, and the latest were the Hawera Cup, won by A Taste Of Honey, and the City of Palmerston North Festival Cup taken out by Rough And Ready at Manawatu Raceway.

Rough And Ready is the top horse at the moment with 27 points.

As it stands at the moment the top 16 horses are :

Rough And Ready
Got You Covered
Homebush Lad
Allamericanlover
Artatac
American Me
Dashing Major
Johnny Mac
Jimmy Arma
The Falcon
Kiss The Girls
Memphis Tennessee
Bad Medicine
Sam's Town
Tairlaw Toll
Macandrew Aviator

To see more of the Country Cups Championship click here