While the 2009 Spring Racing Carnival may now be over, there is still plenty of racing action ahead in the lead up to Christmas.

This weekend features a feast of racing from around the country including the Group Three Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Sandown and the $1 million Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) in Perth.

The weekend's racing kicks off on Friday night at Moonee Valley. It's the start of a big month of racing at Moonee Valley, with meetings every weekend in the lead up to Christmas.

This includes a special twilight meeting on Sunday 13 December to coincide with the rich Hong Kong International meeting at Sha Tin.

Saturday's meeting at Betfair Park, Sandown features the $125,000 Group 3 Betfair Eclipse Stakes (1800m) which includes last start winners Dane Julia, Poised to Win and Offenders.

Four Victorian-trained horses have headed West and will line up in this Saturday's Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth.

Emirates Stakes winner All American will be joined by Gold Salute, Largo Lad and Ortensia fighting it out for the $1 million prize money.

Reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year, Scenic Blast was to run this Sunday in the International Sprint Trial in Hong Kong but Trainer Dan Morton has scratched him because of concerns over the horse's hoof soreness.

The WA gelding has been battling soreness in his heels for the past few weeks and Morton made the late decision to scratch Scenic Blast after he drew barrier two in the 1200m sprint.

Morton does not believe the injury is serious enough to disrupt his campaign. The star sprinter will be joined by two other Australian horses, All Silent and Apache Cat for the final leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.

If Scenic Blast can win in Hong Kong, he will pick up a US$1 million bonus for winning three Group 1 legs of the Global Sprint challenge in three different countries.

Scenic Blast is currently leading the Global Sprint Challenge points table after winning the Coolmore Lightning Stakes at Flemington in January and the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Country racing is extremely popular over the coming month, with many clubs holding pre Christmas race meetings including the Christmas Party Race day at Kilmore on Saturday and the Christmas Carnival race day at Cranbourne on Sunday.

For more information about Country Racing click here.

Racing Victoria Media Release Published 20/11/09