Justin Stanley has been a part of races much bigger than he’ll contest at Dubbo Turf Club in the next week.
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He’s been to the Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick twice while he’s also contested countless feature events, both as a trainer and in his previous career as a jockey.
But being part of the Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day meetings during the biggest time of the year in racing is something he can’t wait for.
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“It’s the biggest crowd in Dubbo you’ll ever see,” Stanley said of Saturday’s Derby Day meeting.
“It’s a great meeting and it’s great for the town. It’s good to see the crowds at the races and I think it’s getting better, as well.
“This time of year is brilliant and it’s good getting a winner in front of a great crowd, that’s for sure.”
Dubbo-based Stanley, who trains at Narromine, is quietly confident of a win or two in the coming days as well.
Something Borrowed makes his return from a spell on Saturday while the well-bred Water Union will contest a maiden event and You Know Zon will either race this weekend or on Tuesday after Stanley accepted in both.
Something Borrowed is the most well-known of the trio, the now seven-year-old a former Country Championships finalist and Cotton Cup winner making his return from a six-month spell.
He will race in one of Saturday’s main races, the Central West McHappy Day Benchmark 66 Handicap (1400m).
He may seem to be approaching veteran status but Stanley couldn’t be more happy with he and also Wollartant, who will make his first start back on Melbourne Cup Day.
“They’ve had really good spells after long preparations. They were entitled to that,” Stanley said.
“But he (Something Borrowed) he’s come back better than he’s ever been. It’s unbelievable.
“He’s getting out like a two-year-old now and he’s surprised me. Wollarant too, he’ll run a good race on Tuesday.”
While Something Borrowed is much loved veteran, Water Union is at the other end of the spectrum.
A lightly-raced “immature” three-year-old, Water Union will go from wide out barrier 15 in the day’s opening event, the Dubbo Telstra Maiden Handicap (1000m).
“He’s still green but he’s putting it together now,” Stanley said.
“He was a $125,000 yearling but we got him because he’s immature. But every week he’s getting there. He’ll be a nice little horse.”
While the spring carnival time of year and some strong chances is enough to have Stanley feeling motivated, the impeding build-up towards the Country Championships is heightening his mood.
The chance to go to a third at Randwick final awaits in 2019 and Stanley stated last year’s Dubbo qualifier winner, Good Host, as well as The Rouseabout, and Get To The Chopper, will all be targeting the series this time around.
Racing starts at 12.55pm on what is sure to be a massive Derby Day meeting on Saturday while the final fields for Tuesday’s meeting are released Friday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
