There’s not much which would stop Clint Lundholm watching his star sprinter Larlabrook go around.
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However, the birth of his and wife Ashleigh’s second child could well see the gelding make the trip to Friday’s showcase meeting at Tamworth without the trainer.
Clint and Ashleigh were headed to hospital on Thursday but the trip north is still on the cards for the Dubbo trainer.
“We’ll see what happens. If it’s all well and good I’ll be there (at Tamworth) and I don’t think I’ve missed a race with Larlabrook,” he said.
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While there’s plenty of excitement for the Lundholm family at the moment, it’s been all frustration on the racing scene.
A virus has gone through the stables in the past month, with Larlabrook one of the horses affected.
Lundholm often breaks in horses for other people and from previously having more than 30 in work or being broken in that figure is down to 20.
“We’ve just been accepting and then scratching everywhere,” Lundholm said.
“Had Larlabrook in a Highway a few weeks back but with a big weight and wet track we scratched and then had him in at Coonamble but his blood wasn’t spot on so we scratched.
“But I believe he’s right now. He’s been back on his toes and looking bright. We’ve been wanting to send him around for awhile.
“He’s got a big weight at 61kg (at Tamworth) but most of the field has weight and he’s won carrying a big weight before so we’re not too fussed.”
Larlabrook will contest the final event on the card at Friday’s showcase meeting, the Allsopp Signs Benchmark 65 Showcase Handicap (1000m).
The four-year-old has a strong record at Tamworth having scored a maiden win on debut and placing twice there while his overall record is three wins and two placings from eight starts.
Lundholm stated he was hopeful of the rain staying away from the Tamworth track, with Larlabrook having failed two place in two starts on a soft surface.
Larlabrook will jump from barrier six in the field of 10 on Friday with champion jockey Greg Ryan again taking the ride.
“He’s got speed but there there’s a lot of speed in it so I’d say Greg will just park him in the perfect position just off the lead and hopefully get the last crack at them,” Lundholm said.
“But I don’t have to tell Greg what to do too much.”
There’s plenty of class in the $30,000 sprint event with Girl In A Million sitting as a $2.70 favourite on Thursday morning.
Girl In A Million, from the Shane Edmonds stables at Inverell, is first-up from a spell but won at the likes of Toowoomba and Doomben last preparation and has a record of three victories from seven starts.
The Lion, trained by Michelle Fleming, is also a leading contender having won last start in a Highway event at Randwick.
Lundholm has two hopes in at Tamworth’s showcase meet, where minimum prizemoney rises to $30,000 per race, with Fire Flight contesting the Advanced Inland Security Class 3 Showcase Handicap (1400m).
Fire Flight, who won her maiden at a showcase meeting, has scored three wins in her past five starts but finished a disappointing 10th at Dubbo last start.
“It’s a big step up to a class three but she’s a little mare in form and she’s going well at home. She’s jumping out of her skin,” Lundholm said.
Racing starts at 12.15pm at Tamworth.