It’s been 12 months in the waiting but now it’s here.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The $150,000 Western Racing Association Country Championships Qualifier will be raced at Dubbo Turf Club on Sunday with the first two horses past the post earning a ticket to the $500,000 final at Royal Randwick.
Want to know how the contenders are lining up? Here’s a word from the camp of each of the 14 horses set to take part.
1. Joey’s Destiny
Clint Lundholm
“He’s had the perfect trial and lead-up into the Country Championships. It’s been a long process to get him here, it’s been over 12 months in the making but he’s shown up and he’s doing really well.”
2. Coming In Hot
Justin Stanley
“Coming in Hot ran last year but was unplaced, although he’s a better horse now.
“He’s now a gelding and forget he ran the other day (seventh at Coonamble) as the track was too hard for him. He’s a nice horse and will improve out of sight with the Dubbo track sure to have more cushion.”
3. Lulu’s Destiny
Rodney Robb
“She’s placed over 1400m. I’m not sure if she’s up to the class of the other horses but in saying that she’s a lot better mare than she was last year. She knows how to win and it doesn’t matter where she is. She can lead or come from behind.”
4. Dreadlock
Clint Lundholm
“Eleven seconds out of 18 starts but he’s also a Dubbo Cup placegetter and a Mudgee Cup placegetter. He’s in fine form and he looks really well and we’re excited to see him race here.”
5. Good Host
Justin Stanley
“We purchased Good Host from Victoria expressly for this race. He won well at Coonamble last time and showed a lot of fight. He is more of a 1600m horse so I’ve freshened him for the drop back in distance.”
6. Sprezzatura
Clint Lundholm
“A very frustrating horse. It’s been a long road with him. He could run a second but he qualified last start in a very tough win at Mudgee and with Noel Callow on board he’s going to be very competitive.”
7. Minamahal
Tim Moses (stable representative for trainer Cindy Monaghan)
“He’s probably a rough place chance. He’s had 20 starts but would have liked one more run so he’ll be a bit underdone. But he’s in it and he’ll get back and finish off. This (qualifier) wasn’t even on our radar until his 20th start.”
8. Party Bag
Justin Stanley
“We probably spelled him a little too long as it’s taken him three runs to come good but now he’s right where we want him.
“He is another we bought from Victoria and is a pretty smart galloper. He’s tough and will be 100% right for the Dubbo qualifier.”
9. Incision
Justin Stanley
“Incision is another that you just have to put a rule through his last run. An apprentice rode him and gave it no chance as he kicked up and went too fast in the lead.
“He’d previously led all the way at a more suitable tempo to win at Gunnedah and he’ll be a much happier horse ridden more patiently. He’s a good honest galloper.”
10. Que Pasa
Merv Rumble
“He was never headed for this. I didn’t expect him to get a start. If he was to win this race it would be an act of God. He’s honest.”
11. Rising King
Connie Greig
“It’s the easiest of the country heats. A benchmark 48 horse wouldn’t get in anywhere else.
He can get the distance. There’s some in there who have qualified but aren’t tested at this distance. He is and this is his favourite distance.”
12. Tuncoona
Clint Lundholm
“We had the story from Bourke last year with Stoneyrise. She (Tuncoona) has come from Bourke owners, the Ridges, out that way at Enngonia. She’s as tough as they come and she’ll be right there at the finish.”
13. Lucienne
Rodney Robb
“Will need some luck but all the others need some luck too. I don’t think I could get my two mares any better. They don’t have much more improvement in them.”
14. Sea Lady
Wayne Martyn
“She gets in well on the weights. She’s down 3.5kg on last start, it’s unbelievable.
“She’ll go back and it’s a long straight at Dubbo and she’ll be in a great position. Coming from the back suits her and the track suits her so everything is in her favour.”