DUBBO trainer Clint Lundholm will launch a three-pronged attack on today's Country Championship Preview (1300m) at Coonamble as he attempts to stake a claim on this month's $100,000 heat at Dubbo and potentially the $300,000 final at Royal Randwick on April 4.
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Lundholm will line up Big Black Beauty, Blinkin Elle and Any Blinkin' Day in the $15,000 event which will undoubtedly be the highlight of a rare Tuesday twilight TAB meeting in the region.
Lundholm has enjoyed a strong 2014-15 season, and while all three of his runners have shown potential through their careers it is Any Blinkin' Day which is sure to generate the most interest from his trio.
The three-year-old won the Silver Goblet at Dubbo last year at his first start and has always been a horse the trainer thought would be better as a three-year-old.
Any Blinkin' Day went for a spell after winning at Dubbo on August 26 and while he hasn't placed at either run so far this preparation the step up in distance and further maturity is expected to play into his hands today.
Today's preview has drawn together a handy field, however two of the main chances appear to be horses ineligible for the Championships.
Stargrill Boy, from the Luke Griffith stable, and the Mark Jones-trained Victorian Crown have both had more than the maximum of 20 starts allowed for the series and come into today's event in good form. Stargrill Boy has won twice and been placed once from his past three starts while Victorian Crown's two runs this preparation have both been encouraging.
Meanwhile, Bathurst trainer Peter Stanley could be a major beneficiary from Racing NSW's introduction of a wild card heat of the Country Championships.
Stanley's gelding King Derota was a late scratching from the Bathurst heat, a decision that had seemingly ended the dream for the trainer and his $400 horse.
But late last week a release came out stating the wild card heat would be worth $50,000 and held at Muswellbrook on March 29. It is open to horses that haven't previously qualified for the final from one of the seven regional qualifying races, with only horses accepting for one of the regional finals eligible.
