Preview: Lundholm to unleash the big guns at Dubbo with bigger targets in mind

Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm will unleash two of the stable’s potential 2025 stars this week, starting at Dubbo on Monday with one of his prime Country Championship contenders.

Clint Lundholm will saddle up two of the stable’s 2025 big race hopefuls this week at Dubbo and Wyong Photographs: Simon Bullard

CLINT Lundholm will saddle-up his main 2025 Country Championships contender and his ‘Magic Millions two-year-old’ all within the space of three days.

It starts on Monday at Dubbo when and where Lundholm’s progressive gelding Brutal Love seeks to build up his bank balance, and reputation, in the Westside Hotel Bar & Bistro Class 1 Handicap (1200m).

“He’s a very nice horse,’’ Lundholm told The Daily Telegraph.

FIELDS AND FORM DUBBO MONDAY

“He’s a Championships contender for the stable just at the minute. Obviously he hasn’t been out to the 1400m as yet but I am taking steps with him.”

As his name suggests, Brutal Love is a son of Doncaster winner Brutal, and out of an unraced mare by Golden Slipper winner, Sepoy.

Brutal Love didn’t register a win as a two-year-old himself but was responsible for three outstanding performances, including an eye-catching third in the $200,000 Inglis Challenge.

It was no surprise then that the $37,000 Inglis Classic Yearling purchase went around at $1.40 first-up at Gundagai on Snake Gully Cup and even less of a surprise that he won.

“That was a great return.’’ Lundholm says.

“He has just come back a different horse. He is a real professional and he’s definitely improved so I think there is bit of fun to be had with him.’’

The same goes for Lundholm stable recruit Beauty Edge who up until changing hands recently, wore the colours of the Hong Kong idol, Beauty Generation.

The son of Hellbent, which has a Canterbury placing on his C.V, clocked in midway down the order in a 12-horse Maiden on Narromine Gold Cup Day over 1100m at what was his first run under the new management.

“I was a little bit disappointed,’’ Lundholm said.

“I thought he would race a little bit closer and be pretty hard to beat.

“He found a lot of trouble and he dropped the dropped the bridle a fair way from home but he was strong late and that’s why I think the change of gear and step up in distance really suits him on Monday.’’

And while Beauty Edge and Brutal Love have not yet had ten starts between them, their sturdy stablemate Hit The Rim raised the bat on a half century of appearances when third at Dubbo last Tuesday.

It was the eight-year-old gelding’s 15th minor placing to go with his four career wins.

“The old boy hasn’t put a foot wrong in his last 10 starts,’’ Lundholm said.

“He’s been so super and a great money spinner.

“Obviously he doesn’t win out of turn but he’s so consistent and keeps doing his best.’’

Hit The Rim inherits much of his toughness from his dam-sires Zabeel and Star Way.

In fact, his dam, Zumbarina, is a three-quarter-sister to the immortal Might And Power.

Lundholm isn’t due at Dubbo until the early afternoon and will know by then if his filly Swedish Glitter has secured a much sought after run in Wednesday’s $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1100m) which carries automatic entry to the $3 million Magic Millions juvenile Grand Final on January 11.

“I am very, very excited with her,’’ Lundholm said.

“I thought her trial was super. If she gets a run and draws well, I’d love to go.

“Kody Nestor rode her (Saturday) morning for me. He’s rapt in her. He rode her in the trial and said she’s a 110 per cent so if she gets in, you better be going.’’

Swedish Glitter was an $80,000 purchase on the Gold Coast.

Swedish Glitter is by Anders who sired his first winner on Saturday when the Kris Lees trained Wisnierska won on debut at Newcastle.

Originally published as Preview: Lundholm to unleash the big guns at Dubbo with bigger targets in mind