Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb is in good spirits ahead of Monday's country meeting at Dubbo Turf Club and it isn't all because of the strong recent streak of form for his main hope Thermosa.
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Despite the recent difficulties brought about by heat, drought and dust storms, Robb is more than happy to spruik the strength of local racing ahead of a return to the Dubbo track for his five year old gelding.
"We're very lucky in our racing here, we've got some stellar jockeys in our area now, and we're very happy with how things are going," Robb said.
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That spirit will likely be lifted even further if Thermosa can score up a win at Monday's meeting, a fact made more likely by the return of frequent partner and Robb apprentice Wendy Peel to the saddle.
Peel has won in four previous starts for Robb from atop Thermosa and while the 1200m Lifeline Dubbo Open Handicap is providing some stiff opposition with multiple chances from Kody Nestor and Dean Mirfin, Robb sees the pairing as a strong chance themselves.
"As his form suggests, he should run well, he's pulled up really well, I couldn't be more happy with him, he's ticked all the boxes really," Robb said.
"I don't normally train that way, but he's a tough competitor type of horse and he's always raced well at Dubbo."
"I elected to put Wendy back on him, she's won four races from the saddle with him, she knows how he runs and how to get the best out of him which is good because he's a fairly hard horse to ride."
Peel, also based out of Nyngan and a multiple time Rising Star event winner, comes highly touted by Robb and his stable.
"She's apprenticed to me now and she understands horses really well, my son rides all his work, but Wendy handles him a lot, so I'm very happy to be going that way," Robb said.
With a win on Monday, Robb hopes to parlay the results into something even bigger for Thermosa, eyeing off the Country Championships event set to be held in mid-march in Coonamble.
Although hopes are high, Robb's well aware of the fickle nature of horse racing, calling it a 'day at a time' sport, but with a solid strength of schedule between now and March, the trainer hopes to see Thermosa a consideration for the event, which was moved to Coonamble in the lead up to this year's Championships.
"We've got to do as much as we can before the race, hopefully we've done everything for Thermosa, he'll be heading to Coonamble for the championship day I think and he'll probably only have one run after tomorrow, hopefully then his benchmark will put him in with the rest for the Championship."
The races begin from 2.10pm on Monday, with a gold coin donation for entry.
