Brett Robb and Matthew Dunn vying to become the first trainer to win $1m Country Championships Final twice

No trainer has had repeat success in the $1m Country Championships Final – but that could change this autumn as the series celebrates its 10th year.

Gallant Star is flying for Dubbo trainer Brett Robb. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Trainers Brett Robb and Matthew Dunn are chasing racing history in the $1m Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick during the Sydney autumn carnival.

In the celebrated 10-year history of the rich country-only race, no trainer has been able to have repeat success.

But Robb and Dunn know the type of horse that is needed to win the big race and are approaching the Country Championships series with understandable optimism.

Robb has his stable base at Dubbo and gave the Western region their first win in the Country Championships Final with Sizzle Minizzle two years ago.

Dunn trains out of Murwillumbah in the Northern Rivers and was successful with Gracie Belle in 2020.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Both men want to experience that winning feeling again in the $1m Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick on April 5.

Robb revealed he has been planning Gallant Star’s revenge mission for 12 months after his stable star ran second in the Final behind Asgarda.

“You have to start getting ready for the Country Championships series a long time out,’’ Robb said.

“With Gallant Star, after he ran second in the Final last year, I was thinking of coming back.

“I just feel he is the right horse, it is a $1m race, so you have to give it a go.’’

Gallant Star is on the second line of early TAB betting at $8 for the Country Championships behind the Dunn-trained Fukubana and Paul Messara’s duo, Clear Thinking and Know Thyself at $6.

Dunn hopes to have multiple representation for the $150,000 Northern Rivers Country Championships qualifier at Lismore on February 22 with comeback galloper Fukubana leading the stable charge.

“Fukubana fractured his pelvis last year but he has made a complete recovery and won really well at Doomben last start,’’ Dunn said.

“He’s a really nice horse and we have set him for the Country Championships.

“I didn’t realise this was 10 years since the Country Championships was introduced but the concept works really well.

“I think the restrictions they put on making sure a horse has been in a stable for a year is positive. It shows the trainer has made the horse by developing it for the series.’’

The lucrative Evergreen Turf Country Championships series, the pinnacle of success for country trainers, kicks off with the Port Macquarie heat for the Mid North Coast region next Sunday.

There are seven regional heats with the winner and runner-up in each guaranteed a start in the $1m Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 5.

Then, the two Wild Card races, one at Scone and the other Goulburn, are the “Last Chance Stakes” where the winners earn their place in the field for the rich Randwick race.

The eligibility criteria for the Country Championships series means a horse can’t have won more than five races or competed in more than 20 races so it is rare to have the same horse contest two Finals.

Fukubana will strive to give Matthew Dunn a second win in the Country Championships Final. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Another One did finish second behind Art Cadeau in the 2021 Final and returned 12 months later to go one better.

This is the task Robb is setting Gallant Star, who just might be the best advertisement yet for Racing NSW’s concerted push in the last decade to inject more prizemoney into races restricted to horses trained in country areas.

After Gallant Star’s second in the Country Championships Final last year, he returned in spring and secured a start in The Kosciuszko, finishing sixth behind Far Too Easy before stepping out in the Barn Dance at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day and producing a career-best effort to win by nearly five lengths.

“It was definitely his best win,’’ Robb said.

“I thought it was a strong race and he made pretty light work of it.

“I think this horse is getting better with age. I feel he has come back bigger and stronger again – he is a really happy horse.’’

Robb has to wait until March 16 until Gallant Star can get his chance to qualify for the Country Championships Final when he contests the Coonamble heat for horses trained in the Western Districts region.

Kerry O’Keefe, the former leg-spinner who played 24 Tests for Australia between 1971-77, is a part-owner of Gallant Star and will be making the trek to Coonamble for the qualifier.

“I had never been to Coonamble before but I went twice last year – and I’m about to go back again,’’ O'Keeffe said.

“When we went there for Gallant Star’s heat, I think we were the only Sydneysiders but they made us feel very welcome.’’

Gallant Star was purchased by O’Keeffe’s close friend and part-owner David Ringland for just $32,500, and the gelding has now had 14 starts, winning five races and earning more than $600,000 prizemoney.

Gallant Star goes BANG 💥 in the Barn Dance and wins with ease!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/szPaX3khG8

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 5, 2024

“I love my involvement with Gallant Star, as minute as it is, we have been lucky with this brilliant horse,’’ he said.

“I think the horse has a great nature, he tries so hard, and I know how much hard work Brett puts in.

“The Country Championships last year was a big day and the fact we almost won it was a great experience.

“The Kosciuszko was an extension of that. John Howard, the actor, was the slot-holder, and after the race we all celebrated finishing sixth!

“But then came the Barn Dance and that was a fabulous day. Brett said before the race I don’t think I’ve seen the horse happier.

“Gallant Star won like a really good horse that day, it was exciting. We just love that this horse tries so hard every race.’’

O'Keeffe, said the calming influence of their trainer keeps Gallant Star’s exuberant owners in check.

“The beauty of Brett is his demeanour never changes,’’ O'Keeffe said.

“Ian Chappell always says the best captains are those with even emotions. Brett is the same in victory or defeat.’’

Robb said Gallant Star will have another two barrier trials before going first-up in the Coonamble qualifier.

The trainer is also setting Deion and Rouge Moulin for the Country Championships series.

Dunn said Tribeca Star and Lubrication will join Fukubana in the Lismore qualifier on February 22.

Tribeca Star, like Gallant Star, is lining up for his second crack at the Country Championships after finishing unplaced in the Final 12 months ago.

“I think the heavy track was against Tribeca Star last year,’’ Dunn said.

“He handles rain-affected ground but not heavy.

“He’s coming up well and ran a good race first-up for third the other day at Doomben. Lubrication also ran that day and he was very good late.

“What I have done this year is try and find horses going into the Lismore qualifier third-up at worst.

“The series is definitely stronger than ever and it is getting close to needing a horse with stakes ability to win the Final.’’

WHERE TO WATCH THE QUALIFIERS

Sunday, February 16: Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast)

Saturday, February 22: Lismore (Northern Rivers)

Sunday, February 23: Nowra (South East)

Friday, February 28: Orange (Central Districts)

Saturday, March 1: Wagga Wagga (Southern Districts)

Sunday, March: Tamworth (Hunter & North-West)

Sunday, March 16: Coonamble (Western)

Friday, March 21:25 Scone (Northern Wild Card)

Sunday, March 23: 5 Goulburn (Southern Wild Card)

Originally published as Brett Robb and Matthew Dunn vying to become the first trainer to win $1m Country Championships Final twice