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By Mark Brassel

Trainer Matthew Dunn will be hoping his luck turns for the better during Friday’s rich Murwillumbah Country Showcase Cup Day.

Dunn had two runners in last year’s $50,000 Riverview Hotel Murwillumbah Cup (1550m) but had to be content with third (Axella, $8) and fourth (Saxton Rock, the $1.95 favourite).

And in the other feature on the day, the $40,000 Boutique Thoroughbreds Newmarket (1200m), Dunn again missed out when Tivoli Street ($7) finished second and Dream of Biscay ($3.70) was sixth.

Snitz (Nash Rawiller) in winning form at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

Dunn has entered four horses for this year’s Murwillumbah Cup – Storm Attack (the last start Lismore winner), Ready to Humble (last start Gold Coast winner), Xanthus (dual Doomben winner) and former Victorian Southern Rock.

The trainer will also hold a strong hand in the Newmarket, having nominated his flying sprinter Snitz (a Stakes winner with two victories at Royal Randwick).

Being a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting, the minimum prizemoney for each race is $30,000 with a total of $270,000 on offer over the eight-race card.

Timothy Booth, CEO of Tweed River Jockey Club, said: “At this stage, the event is going ahead with crowds under COVID-19 guidelines, similar to the Grafton and Coffs Harbour Cups in recent weeks.

“The track is in super condition with big fields expected for the Club’s first-ever Country Showcase meeting.

“It is expected that The Kosciuszko hopeful Valiant, from the Steven Wise yard, will contest the Newmarket as an audition for the October feature.”

Valiant has been a revelation since moving from the Snowden stable in Sydney to Wise who is based in Murwillumbah.

The gelding won both starts last spring in impressive fashion on the Gold Coast and at Lismore before being spelled with the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick (Saturday 16 October) in mind.

“We also believe Ed O’Rourke is expected to run his up and coming stayer Nemingah in the Tygalgah Cup, with the winner excluded from ballot for the 2021 Lismore Cup.

“The Club will also be hosting a Murwillumbah Cup Calcutta at the Riverview Hotel on Thursday the 19th from 6pm with the local Kids on The Border Charity receiving 10% of all ticket sales.

“The rapidly changing COVID situation has made organising the event a challenge, but we are thankful for the support provided by Racing NSW and the opportunity to host a Country Showcase meeting.

“Potential patrons should also be aware that should the event be forced to run without a crowd due to COVID restrictions, the ticket value will be refunded in full.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY MEETINGS
Monday: Grafton, Gunnedah
Tuesday: Albury, Taree
Friday: Murwillumbah (Cup)
Saturday: Gilgandra, Berrigan (non-TAB)
Sunday: Nowra, Tamworth