Local trainer Bob Milligan will be hoping last year's runner-up, seven-year-old Texas Storm, will go one better and win the $29,000 Wingham Services Wingham Cup (1600m) at Manning Valley Race Club's meeting at Taree on Friday.

Formidable opposition from Canberra and Sydney may not be enough to upset honest Taree gelding Texas Storm's shot at winning the $32,000 Wauchope RSL Club Wauchope Cup (1450m) at Warwick Park Racecourse, Kempsey, on Sunday.

Two local trainers are keeping an eye on the weather as they contemplate their best hopes of winning the feature Kennards Hire Taree Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1412m at Manning Valley Race Club’s TAB meeting at Taree on Monday.

The Taree stable of Bob Milligan could be in for a big day with Country Championship Qualifiers competing in the $500,000 Newhaven Park Championships Final at Royal Randwick and at Manning Valley Race Club’s upgraded TAB meeting at Taree on Saturday.

It would be an emotional victory in the 2019 Country Championships Final if Texas Storm could win the race for Bob Milligan.