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By Mark Brassel

A change of environment and averting mosquitoes has led to an amazing transformation in country performer On a Promise.

On a Promise (Clayton Gallagher) claims his first straight win at Coonabarabran. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

The six-year-old is in sizzling form having won his past five starts “and it won’t stop there!” declared his Dubbo-based trainer Brett Robb.

On a Promise is entered for Thursday’s $24,000 Open Handicap (1300m) at Narromine.

“He was getting beaten easily at the picnics, so we decided to give him a good spell,” Robb said.

“When I was based at Nyngan the mossies were really bad and he became anaemic.

“We moved to Dubbo and the difference was astounding. He resumed with a picnic win at Coonamble and then he won a non-TAB race at Gilgandra.

“He then stepped up to win a TAB race before taking out the Picnic Series Final at Coonamble.”

Last start On a Promise powered home to make it five in succession by claiming the Baradine Cup at a Coonabarabran TAB meeting.

“He keeps raising the bar. He’s a happy horse and we haven’t done much with him since and he’s thriving.

“He’s against open class gallopers this time and it may test him, but we’ve never had him going better.”

Robb has also entered three-year-old Chart Topper for the Maiden Handicap (1300m). The filly has only raced twice with excuses for both defeats: “She began awkwardly and was then bumped heavily at the start when making her debut at Coonabarabran.

“She was then three-wide all the way and got going late last time at Dubbo, so the run was good. She’s not a great doer so I’m thinking we might give her a spell after Thursday.

"I think she will be much better next preparation. She pulled up well and has done OK since with Casey Waddell to ride.”

Robb’s four-year-old No Debt is nominated for the Maiden Plate (800m) at Narromine. The gelding has had six starts in Victoria and this will be his first for the Brett Robb stable.

“He’s a really nice horse but I’ve only had him for two weeks so I may wait a little longer for Dubbo. He has been placed at Hamilton and at his third start he finished sixth to Hitotsu who came out and won the Victoria Derby.”

Majority is entered for the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m) and finished a slashing second at Dubbo in her first run for Robb after coming from Kris Lees.

“We were really pleased with the run. She can be a bit of a handful as she’s stubborn but we’re confident we’ll win races with her. If we don’t go to Narromine there is a similar race at Gunnedah for her the week after.”

Finally, Sipharderson is in the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 800m: “He’s a big horse with a few tricks,” Robb said. “He hates anything but a firm track so we’re keeping an eye on the weather as rain is forecast.”

Meanwhile, Kempsey has a TAB meeting on Saturday with the feature event the John McGee Memorial Benchmark 50 Handicap (1250m).

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY MEETINGS
Monday: Wagga (Riverside Track)
Tuesday: Ballina
Thursday: Narromine
Friday: Muswellbrook
Saturday: Kempsey, Wagga, Coonamble
Sunday: Grafton