Racing NSW has banished Canberra-trained horses from the rich Highway Handicap race series held most Saturdays during the year.
The Highway Handicaps have proved a popular addition to Saturday metropolitan meetings in Sydney since they were first run in October 2015.
Earlier this year, Racing NSW booted Canberra-trained horses out of their flagship Country Championships series and moving them into the Provincial Championships against horses trained at venues like Newcastle, Wyong, Kembla and Hawkesbury.
"The view of the board was that based on the quality of training and other facilities available to them, Canberra-trained horses are the equal of NSW provincial trained horses, which are also ineligible for Highway races," the Racing NSW press release said.
Racing NSW have implemented a December 2 end date for Canberra-based horses from respected stable like that of Matt Dale, Nick Olive and Keith Dryden and Scott Collings to compete in Highway Handicaps.
