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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Clint Lundholm believes he has two bargain buys in former Sydney gallopers Volterra and Amulet Street making their debut for him at Gilgandra on Sunday.

Volterra was a $1.3 million yearling, picked up for just $27,500, and was a 12 start maiden under Chris Waller while Amulet Street set Lundholm back $65,000 for the Godolphin homebred who has seven placings from eight starts.

Trainer Clint Lundholm.

The Dubbo trainer is confident he can win races with the pair and has his eye on the Newhaven Park Western District Country Championships at Coonamble, on March 13, for Amulet Street.

“When they come from the big stables like Chris Waller they’ve obviously given them every chance,’’ Lundholm said.

“You give them a change of environment, we bring them out here and have a look and a ride and make sure we’re happy with them. When you’re buying a tried horse they obviously have some issues.”

Volterra makes his debut for the Dubbo trainer in the Inland Petroleum Handicap (1280m) on the back of two barrier trials including a third behind stablemate Activation on December 18.

The I Am Invincible gelding is now four and has three second placings, including on debut when $1.90 at Rosehill as a two-year-old, and Lundholm very much likes him.

“He’s a beautiful horse, a massive horse, and he has the pedigree to be a Group 1 horse but obviously he’s not that good,’’ he said.

“I think he’s much better than a maiden. I would have loved to have him earlier, he could have been a Championships type of horse, he’s a front running type of horse and a very good doer.

“I can’t fault the horse but he just wasn’t good enough for the city. I think he’s a cheap buy for the owners and they are going to have a bit of fun with him.”

The challenge for Volterra is to overcome jumping from one of the outside alleys and that’s the only reservation Lundholm has about his chances.

He’s confident apprentice Elissa Meredith can steer him home with a little bit of early luck.

“I think he’s the best horse in the race, it’s an awkward draw and Gilgandra is a bit like a 50 cent piece,’’ he said.

“You turn then you have a bit of a straight then a turn. If he gets caught deep it’s going to make it a bit harder but if he can find a bit of cover and be close enough to them he should be able to beat them.”

Amulet Street has run second six times under James Cummings and he’s only had the one trial since he arrived at Dubbo, finishing not far behind Volterra in the same heat.

He was purchased in time to make him eligible for the Newhaven Park Country Championships and after a small issue on arrival Lundholm said the gelding is 100 per cent for the Kelly & Astill Lawyers – Len Kelly Memorial (1100m).

“He’s a maiden horse that could come out here and be competitive in the lower grade races and hopefully turn into a Championship horse in March,’’ he said.

“He’s going to have the right preparation into it, if he can pick a maiden up on Sunday and go on and win another one you head to Coonamble with a chance.

“His trial I thought was outstanding, he wasn’t asked to do a great deal.”

Like Volterra, Amulet Street has a tricky barrier to overcome but Lundholm said his plan to ask Clayton Gallagher to take luck out of the equation.

“We’re going to ride him like the best horse in the race,’’ he said.

“I think if he gets an uninterrupted run and gets even luck he’ll be right in the finish for sure.”

Volterra & Amulet Street trial at Dubbo on December 18

As far as the $45,000 Nutgrien Ag Gilgandra Cup (1600m) is concerned, Lundholm is expecting Notabadidea to make his presence felt, despite conceding 4.5kg or more to the rest of the field, while is hoping Silverhawk can turn his form around.

Notabadiea won the Coonabarabran Cup in October, he was placed in the Mudgee Cup in early December and ran a close sixth in the Armidale Cup at Tamworth a few weeks ago.

“He’s been consistent in all the Cups, he gives his all,’’ he said.

“He carried the big weight at Tamworth the other day and they collared him the last 50 yards or so.

“This race lacks a bit of quality compared to Tamworth, he’s going well and I’m sure he’ll be very competitive.”

Lundholm has yet to get the best out of ex-South Australian Silverhawk, who finished last at Orange last time, in five starts and will try a new approach on Sunday.

“He’s just gone right off the boil. We’ve freshened him up since his last run, he’s working well, and the idea would be to ride him off pace and see if he can run through the line,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Gilgandra Cup meeting