Gracie Belle prepares for Country Championships Final with a second at Jewel Race Day

Gracie Belle’s runner-up finish at the Jewel Race Day has solidified in trainer Matt Dunn’s mind her credentials for the upcoming Country Championships Final in New South Wales.

GRACIE Belle’s runner-up finish at the Jewel Race Day has solidified in trainer Matt Dunn’s mind her credentials for the upcoming Country Championships Final in New South Wales.

The four-year-old mare, along with the third-placed Jardin Rouge, were the only horses to make any inroads on clear winner Moonshine Lady in Saturday’s Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Aquis Park.

Gracie Belle’s second in the previous start in Grafton’s Country Championships Qualifier locked her in for the $500,000 final, to be held at Randwick on April 4, where a win would deliver a $270,000 prizemoney windfall.

Matthew McGuren rode Matthew Dunn's Gracie Bell to second at the Country Championships qualifying heat moved from Coffs Harbour to Grafton's Clarence River Jockey Club on Thursday, February 20.

“It’s probably going to be wet (at Randwick) and she likes it so she is a chance for sure,” Dunn said.

“She ran very well at Grafton, a lot better than it looked on paper.”

Dunn predicted Moonshine Lady’s frontrunning but couldn’t fault Gracie Belle’s performance.

“She was good. I was always a bit worried the leader was going to get a soft run upfront like it did,” Dunn said.

“Gracie Belle ran as well as she could. She has good talent and quickens well. She was the only horse to make inroads on the winner.”