By Tony Megahey
The traditional Narromine Cup has the fondest of memories for regional Cups specialist Clint Lundholm with the dominance of three performed gallopers in Sunday’s annual TAB feature.
Having his best year yet and winning last season’s Narromine Cup with veteran Notabadidea, the young Dubbo trainer is represented in this edition by Macchina Volante, Watch Me Rumble and Starlink in the Three Rivers Machinery Case IH sponsored $40,000, 1600m feature.
Macchina Volante (Dylan Stanley) claims the Walgett Cup. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)
Coincidentally, Notabadidea is in Sunday’s race again the nine-year-old now in the Nyngan stables of celebrated veteran Rodney Robb.
A massive day is assured with the regional industry having so many meetings washed out and much relief that an extra meeting at Dubbo was able to proceed on Wednesday with nine races and capacity fields.
“The racing folk have been doing it tough, revenue down, programs delayed so Dubbo was a great day with nine races, and we always look forward to Narromine, it’s been super for the family over the years,” Clint offered having scored a winning double at Dubbo.
“Last year we won the Cup and a winning treble on the day.
“The first time I won it was 11 years ago with a great old horse Mossamine and my daughter Allie was born the day before,” recallsed Clint.
He assessed Macchina Volante 57kg for Wendy Peel, Watch Me Rumble 55kg with Jake Pracey-Holmes and Starlink 55kg and Heavelon Van Der Hoven.
“They’ve all got realistic chances, probably leaning towards Watch Me Rumble, she’s perfectly placed drawn in and back to her best distance range from a 1200m.
“She was run off her feet then, but she needed a run after missing races with the washouts.
“Her previous runs at home have been really good on pace and that’s where she’ll be from the good gate.”
Macchina Volante is drawn out but it’s not a huge negative, he beat a good field in the Walgett Cup and eight career wins says he’s got some quality.
“And drops significantly in weight from 63kg and 59.5kg.”
Starlink will be widest in the betting: “She’s been a little disappointing but fitter for recent racing, out to her right distance range.
"She was an unlucky second in the Walcha Cup so has to be a cheeky chance.”
At present Narromine is a Soft 7 in fine weather with a bumper crowd assured.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Narromine here