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By Tony Megahey

While Dubbo’s heavyweight stables of Clint Lundholm and Brett Robb typically have the numbers to dominate Friday’s capacity TAB meeting, an intriguing lone runner from the Annabel Neasham stable is the safest bet on the programme.

Hellfire Express was unraced with the Portelli stable then transferred to Neasham, gelded, and spelled for four months.

He impressively won a barrier trial for none other than James McDonald, the Hellbent protégé then dominated a Goulburn Maiden at logically short odds.

Similarly at Dubbo the gelding is odds-on as the only winner into the King’s Hall Jewellers Showcase $40,000 Silver Goblet (1100m) with 59kg and barrier two for Brodie Loy - race experience against moderate maiden form and triallers.

However, aside from the lucrative Goblet prizemoney it’s education for better races.

And for McDonald to trial the youngster, although he’s linked with Neasham for multiple Group success, suggests bigger occasions.

“He’s a nice progressive two-year-old, he trialled well and took it to the races and he's in good order again from an inside gate,” offers Neasham Racing Manager Rob Archibald.

Meanwhile Lundholm, in the midst of a career best season, is represented in most races.

His last start Bathurst winner Star Link in race six and, in the last, veteran Notabadidea who was dominant at Wellington will be hard to beat.

While Robb’s best is likely eight race winner Dalavin drawn ideally in race three and way back in grade from the Wagga Wagga Town Plate in May where Mnementh beat Front Page.

At present Dubbo is a good three in overcast weather.

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Dubbo meeting