Matt Dunn targets Country Championships Final with comeback galloper Fukubana after Doomben win

Fukubana scored his first win since returning from a serious injury at Doomben and trainer Matt Dunn is now eyeing off a million-dollar race in Sydney.

Fukubana gave a glimpse of his potential with Saturday’s win at Doomben. Picture: Natasha Wood/Trackside Photography

A talented galloper who came back from a fractured pelvis could be Matt Dunn’s ticket to the $1m Country Championships Final at Randwick in April.

Four-year-old Fukubana has had a rollercoaster career, at times struggling to bridge the gap between potential and performance after suffering a serious injury and also struggling with his racing manners prior to being gelded.

But the Doomben crowd witnessed some of his undoubted ability on Saturday as he put paid to his rivals in a Class 2 Plate after being sent out the $1.95 favourite.

Fukubana only got warm late over the 1350m trip as jockey Andrew Mallyon darted along the inside and the best part of the gelding’s race was his work through the line.

Murwillumbah trainer Dunn is now eyeing off a Country Championships qualifier in northern NSW which will give him a chance to qualify for the rich final at Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships in April.

.@mallyon_andrew guides Fukubana to victory at Doomben! @mattydunnracingpic.twitter.com/ebQiIj8Fxu

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

Fukubana firmed from $11 to equal $6 favourite for the Country Championships Final after his impressive Doomben win.

“He had a pretty serious injury at one point, he fractured his pelvis in a track gallop,” Dunn said.

“They are tricky, in a worst-case scenario they can sever a main blood vessel in a hind leg and that doesn’t end well.

“If you can get horses through it, it doesn't seem to impact the rest of their racing career.

“He has been an interesting horse.

“Before he was gelded when he didn’t have blinkers on, he didn’t want to go fast, then when he had blinkers on he wanted to go too fast.

“But I have given him plenty of time and we will aim for the Country Championships Final which is worth a fair bit of money.”

Meanwhile, champion trainer Tony Gollan feels he has a Queensland winter carnival contender on his hands with in-form mare Torabella who made it three consecutive wins.

Torabella was expected to win, starting the $1.65 favourite in the Thanks Neville Bell Class 6 Handicap (1600m), but she had to be tough to lead and win.

Torabella makes it 3 in a row! She's in serious form 🔥 @[e-mail]/sBHihxZ1Br

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

The 2kg claim of apprentice Emily Lang was a godsend, but there was no taking away from the win of the mare who looks bound for Stakes assignments in winter.

“She has had a great preparation, she only blotted her copybook really on The Gateway day which was a tough day for her racing pattern,” Gollan said.

“I must admit coming into the race today, I was a little bit nervous because we were going to be in front and there is a headwind down thee back straight and that makes it tougher for horses who are leading.

“She had to navigate that and it just goes to show what a good horse she is now.

“There was once a query on her running out a strong mile, but I don’t think there’s a query now.

“She is destined for better races than off-season races, we will back off her now and hopefully we will see her during the winter carnival.”

Originally published as Matt Dunn targets Country Championships Final with comeback galloper Fukubana after Doomben win