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By Ray Hickson

Lockdown Gamble is described by his trainer David Smith as the “dark horse of the Country Championships” and he's excited to see what his emerging galloper can do at Mudgee on Sunday.

In an ideal world the four-year-old would be a perfect candidate for the 2023 series but Smith said he’s come such a long way, particularly this preparation, since making his debut in July last year he might not meet the criteria in 12 months.

David Smith with Lockdown Gamble. (Pic: Janian McMillan)

The Mudgee trainer, who won the $150,000 Newhaven Park Central Districts Country Championships in 2017 with Distinctive Look, says it would be no surprise to him if Lockdown Gamble, a winner of three from eight, gives the series a shake.

“This is what the whole series was aimed at, these progressive horses on the way up and he fits the bill nicely,’’ Smith said.

“He’s a real dark horse, his three wins have all been in quick time. I think he’s under rated.

“We trialled with Zoo Station at the start of the prep, I know it was only a trial but sometimes you’ve got to go with what you see to the eye and I thought he went every bit as good.”

So under the radar is Lockdown Gamble, he wasn’t listed in TAB’s Country Championships Final market on Tuesday morning while stablemate Intense Passion was $101.

The gelding’s rise is not only remarkable because he debuted less than eight months ago, he will head into a Country Championships in his second racing preparation having had his first virtually straight off being broken in.

He easily won a Class 1 at Bathurst second-up then Smith decided to get confirmation that he is Country Championships material with a sharp class rise into the Championships Preview (Class 4, 1300m) at Dubbo on February 13 and he was too good again.

“That last one was a big jump in grade and even doing a few things wrong in the run he still managed to put them away,’’ Smith said.

“As a young horse they don’t do that unless they have their share of ability.

“He’s starting to put it all together now. It could be too soon for him because it’s only his second racing prep. That was the big dilemma.

“That’s why we threw him in that grade to make sure we were heading in the right direction. In 12 months he might not be eligible for the Championships so we’ll have a throw at the stumps.

“Even if we don’t make the Final we know we can go back to Sydney for Highway races.

“Every stable needs to have a nice horse coming through to keep the spirits high and we haven’t got to the bottom of him yet.”

The weather during the week and conditions on race day will be of interest to Smith – his confidence would be dulled a little on a seriously wet track but if Mudgee has escaped significant rain it will give Lockdown Gamble his best chance.

“I told anyone who wanted to listen to wait until he gets onto a good surface, I just knew he was a lot more effective on top of the ground through his trackwork,’’ he said.

“What we’ve seen from his last three starts when he’s hit that good surface have been absolutely full of merit.

Lockdown Gamble wins at Dubbo on February 13

“On a good surface I’d be going there quietly confident, with rain around if we get back into the soft range it takes him back a little bit whereas Gayna’s horse (Zoo Station) swims through it.”

Smith will be sending Intense Passion into the Mudgee race first-up off one barrier trial but his expectations are much lower for the staying mare.

The five-year-old has won two from 17, with wins at 1600m and 1800m, but the trainer says she’s come back like a horse wanting more ground and the race suits nicely for her program.

“She’s an out and out stayer this time around, and stayers can produce something fresh over 1400m first-up,’’ he said.

“Her trial was sound but she won’t threaten that mob over 1400m. I’d expect her to be midfield somewhere, it’s a nice kick off point while she meets the criteria.”

All the entries, form and replays for Sunday's Country Championships meeting at Mudgee