Strathaird gains a Country C’ship berth

Dubbo gelding Strathaird has been promoted into the field for the Country Championship final after a high attrition rate from his qualifying heat.

Strathaird finished seventh, beaten just under four lengths, in the regional heat at Dubbo on February 19 won by Stoneyrise.

The first two placegetters in the heats qualify for the final but those who finished 2nd to sixth are all in the spelling paddock.

That gives the Gary Lunn-trained four-year–old Strathaird a place in the $400,000 final on Saturday week as the second representative for the western NSW region.

Since the Dubbo race, Strathaird has run third in a Class 4 race at Cowra.