Brett Robb has been to many a Country Championships heat with his father but he said it will be "a big thrill" to have horses in his own name contesting the rich series this year.
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The son of legendary bush trainer Rodney Robb is one of many in the region building towards the $150,000 Country Championships Qualifier at Coonamble on March 14.
Robb currently has Great Buy and Messy Miss tracking towards that race but a strong showing at Friday's Dubbo Turf Club meeting could catapult a third contender into the mix.
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Bean Hot is one of a number of chances Robb has lining up at Friday's nine-race meeting, and victory in the Maas Group Class 1 Handicap (1200m) would be enough to throw the promising gelding's name among the nominations next week.
"He hasn't run a bad yet," Robb said, the three-year-old currently having a record of a win and two placings in four starts.
"His work has been good since his last start and it's a strong class one but he's fit and ready to go.
"He's only three years old ... he would have to win and win well but if he pulled up well I would think about it."
Nick Heywood will ride Bean Hot on Friday and the experienced hoop will also pilot Skullharderson and debutant Dalavin.
Dalavin has had two trials and while the results the fourth and six-placed results don't jump off the paper, Robb has a strong opinion of the gelding.
"He's been working well and I think he's going to be a good little horse," the trainer said.
"He was brought up and broken in with Bean Hot and has done better."
Robb will also race at the Tottenham picnics on Saturday before the focus fully turns towards the Coonamble qualifier.
I've been there with Dad but having my own name there in the race is going to be a big thrill.
- Brett Robb on Country Championships
Leading Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor is set to dominate the nominations but Robb is enjoying being part of the build-up and remains positive about his chances, particularly Great Buy.
The four-year-old gelding has two wins and three placings from 15 career starts and ran fourth at Mudgee last weekend following an eight week let-up.
"I thought his run was good at Mudgee," Robb said.
"He's pulled up really well and I think he's going to be good going into the 1400 at Coonamble."
The Coonamble heat will be Robb's first as a trainer, having gone out on his own earlier this season after working for his father for most of his life.
"It's going to be something different," he said.
"I've been there with Dad but having my own name there in the race is going to be a big thrill.
"Kody's horses are going to be very hard to beat but if everything keeps going right for Great Buy and he gets the right run I can't see why he won't run a good race."
Robb also accepted with Our Monika, Boys Home, Kogi Lass, and Skullharderson for Friday's Dubbo meeting.
Racing on Friday starts at 12.29pm.
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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.
