While the SA Country Cup continues to complement the Adelaide Cup, these days there are only three country clubs remaining – Gawler, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier – with each club supplying two finalists.

But for all that, this year’s Country Cup will carry record prize money of $5000 for the heats and $10,000 for the final which will be run at Angle Park on Adelaide Cup night in early October.

The demise of the Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Pirie, Kulpara, Barmera and Strathalbyn (later replaced by Murray Bridge) at one stage appeared to have put paid to the SA Country Cup.

But in 2013 the Country Cup was re-introduced and took in the country greyhound clubs still in operation – Gawler, Strathalbyn, Mount Gambier and Port Augusta.

Mount Gambier won the cup that year when Moorak Hope was successful for Moorak owner Allan Holmes and trainer Tracie Price. And in 2016 Nicole Stanley followed up for Mount Gambier at Strathalbyn with Berry Bling.

Back then, the final was shared between Gawler and Strathalbyn and coincided with those clubs’ cup nights.

In 2017 the SA Country Cup was switched to Angle Park to coincide with the Adelaide Cup. Mount Gambier representatives that year were Colden Girl (Bea Bryant) and Paraphernalia (Jeff Guy) who finished third and fourth respectively.

Mount Gambier heat/s of the SA Country Cup, which carry conditions, will be run over 512 metres at Tara Raceway on Sunday, September 28.