By Tony Megahey
If it’s not unprecedented it certainly tests the memories of Dubbo’s respected racing brothers, the Lunns, at Wednesday’s nine-race Dubbo TAB meeting in heavy conditions.
Of three training brothers over three decades plus, eldest Garry, then Dar and Michael amazingly provide five of the 10 acceptors in a BM 58, 1600m race.
However, they won’t have the favourite in a Desspos Solutions Country Boosted, 1600m.
Dar Lunn's Hot Gospel (Ashley Morgan) in winning touch at Dubbo. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)
Regular home track rival Clint Lundholm, having his best year yet, has the popular elect in Zounile.
The six-year-old Zoustar mare scored her fourth career win at the Dubbo TAB meeting two weeks ago, leading throughout.
The Lunns will oppose each other, and they do often enough, but not with half the field!
“No never five, over a lot of years I remember three, maybe four maximum,” offered Dar.
Dar Lunn has become renowned of late with his career best Elson Boy spelling and The Kosciuszko bound after a seven-race winning streak and subsequent super placings in strong city grade.
The Lunns are regular opponents but there's no favours on raceday.
“We help each other out if needed but on raceday it's every man for himself,” Dar said.
He has Amantaka and Hot Gospel coming off modest maiden wins at Forbes and Dubbo. Michael has accepted with Charlotting and Ellis Park and Garry with 117 start 10-year-old Careering Away who has won 10 races.
“The maiden winners have been value, lightly raced with upside in a steady race,” Dar added. “They might not have beaten much, and the favourite (Zounile) deserves to be favourite with four wins.
"But it’s had 30-odds starts and 60kg whereas mine are on the limit (55kg); a big pull in the weights and they’ll run a solid 1600m.
“I had them in the right races at Coonabarabran, but it was washed out. We bought Amantaka off the web for $1000 and Hot Gospel for $2200 so they’ve already paid their way.”
The meeting will be dominated by the leading regional stables of Lundholm, Brett Robb and Brett Thompson with numbers and most favourites on a capacity nine-race program with the track rated a Heavy 8.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Dubbo here