Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Coonamble

Clint Lundholm thought about a big payday for South Bullaway but feels the easier option is the way to go for the gelding.

Trainer Clint Lundholm can start the day on a winning note when he returns to his old home track of Coonamble on Sunday. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainer Clint Lundholm gave himself two options with maiden galloper South Bullaway – the Maiden Handicap over 1100m and the Super Maiden over 1200m - but feels the better option is going to be the former when he returns to his old stomping ground of Coonamble.

Not that he doesn’t think the gelding can’t handle himself in that race.

“I was tossing up whether to chase the big money in the $50,000 Super Maiden but it just looks the smarter option to go around in the other race,” Lundholm said.

“There are a few first starters that we don’t know much about coming out of some nice stables like Rod Northam and Luke Pepper.

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Olimba gets the job done holding out South Bullaway! pic.twitter.com/XV52RiDXXW

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 5, 2023

“Two of those horses are also in the Super Maiden so it will be interesting to see which way they go.”

South Bullaway was just behind the placegetters in his first two runs back from a spell before going down narrowly at Narromine on December 5.

After drawing one in from the outside, the gelding was sent forward to be outside the leader early before taking a sit mid-race and just failed to catch Olimba by a neck with Ronald Simpson on board who rides the gelding again on Sunday.

“I think if you change the barriers, he probably gets the coin,” said Lundholm.

“He was just a bit unlucky. He had to do a bit of work but he never threw the towel in; he kept trying right through the line and was only unbeaten a neck so I thought it was a great effort.

“He is getting better with each start and he shouldn’t be too far away again.”

Lundholm has Majestic Wings and Tupou lining up against each other in the in the Benchmark 58 over 1400m.

Majestic Wings scored back-to-back wins at Mudgee and Warren but failed to handle the wet track at Mudgee last start.

“She has done a good job in her four starts back from a long spell,” he said.

“She found a nice position last start, probably a little too handy really, and was just found wanting that last bit.

Ronald Simpson rides South Bullaway at Coonamble. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography.

“She gets back on top of the ground this week which will suit. She has drawn terribly but she is in a race where she should be very competitive again for sure.”

Lundholm thought Tupou was disappointing at Narromine last time out but feels he can run a much improved race.

“He pushed forward which wasn’t the right thing to do as he was posted three-wide with no cover,” he said.

“I thought his two runs prior to that were decent. His first-up run was okay; I gave him a pass. His second-up run was really good and he was heading in the right direction.

“I would put a line straight through his last run, and assess him on his previous run.

“He will need a bit of luck from the alley so he will go back but he is fully fit now, up to 1400m which he has wanted and he will be hitting the hard.”

In the final event, Lundholm will again saddle up two runners with Notabadidea and Beauchamp.

Notabadidea is resuming from a spell while Beauchamp will appreciate getting back on a dry track after his latest run at Gunnedah.

“Notabadidea is being set for the summer cups races. This is going to be a bit short for him but in saying that, he isn’t carrying a lot more weight than the rest of the field,” he said.

“You just can’t knock Beauchamp; he has been so consistent.

“He struggled a bit in the wet at Gunnedah last start but his previous runs were very good.

“He is an on-speed runner drawn out in barrier 10 so he will have to do a little bit of work but he should get across and he will be trying his best.”

ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 3 No. 7: Loves Rules

The Rod Northam-trained mare has had a let-up since her close second over 2200m at Dubbo. Winner at the trip and hard to beat.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 2: South Bullaway

Improving type coming off a close second at Narromine and can go one better here.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No. 2: Maryland Bridge

Raced very well in her first campaign with a win and two seconds. Will take plenty of improvement from her first-up run over 1000m and steps up to a more suitable 1300m here.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 6 Nos: 7, 10

QUADDIE

Race 4: 3, 6, 7, 8

Race 5: 1, 2, 5

Race 6: 1, 7, 10

Race 7: 3, 5, 10, 12

Jockey Chelsea Hillier could be in for a big day at Coonamble.

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Apprentice Chelsea Hillier has a nice book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

INSIDE MAIL – COONAMBLE

RACE 1

South Bullaway continues to improve with each run. worked early from his wide gate but kept fighting to the line when a close second to Olimba over 100m at Narromine last time out. Can go one better here. Also in Race 4 but likely start in this race. Super Trixie is a first starter by Super One from the Luke Pepper stable. Showed good early speed before taking a sit when third in her Scone trial on Nov 22. Sebilla is a Divine Prophet fill from the Rod Northam yard on debut. Not pushed out in her trials.

Bet: South Bullaway to win

RACE 2

Casino Stage is another first starter from the Rod Northam stable. The four-year-old Casino Prince gelding began well and was kept out five and six-wide before closing nicely in the 100m for third in his Scone trial on Nov 22. Rebel Flyer will take improvement from his first-up run at Mudgee. Ran a handy race on debut when fourth to Vanoureuce at Dubbo in July. Mission Mummabear found the 1000m way too short when she was wide and chasing all-the-way when seventh on a soft track at Gunnedah on debut. Her sire won stakes races at 1400m and 1600m. Step up to 1400m will suit.

Bet: Casino Stage to win

RACE 3

Love Rules jumped from 1600m to 2200m at Scone on Oct 27 when fifth behind Warialda Warrior who went to run midfield in the Gr1 Victoria Derby at his nest start. Love Rules backed-up eight days later for a half-length second to Our City over the same trip at Dubbo. Yehbut had his first start for a new stable when down the track on a heavy track over 1600m at Gunnedah. Back on good ground and steps up to 2000m when he was second at his only go at the trip. World Reign boxed on when fourth to Grenoble over 1800m before dropping back to a mile when fifth at Orange last start.

Bet: Love Rules to win

Love Rules can break through for a second career win at Coonamble. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 4

Go Isla Go is knocking on the door for a win after placing at her last three starts in provincial grade and can get a big payday in the Super Maiden. Was a length of Bangetta on Newcastle Beaumont track, beat all bar Cosy Corner at Gosford and was second to Magic Stella there last start. If South Bullaway does run here, he is in with a good chance. Rushin’ Bubbles race safely held when third at Muswellbrook on Nov 7 behind Intervarsity who put a big margin on them and back-up with another impressive win there at his next start. Rushin’ Bubbles followed up with a third behind Are You Joking after trying to lead all-the-way.

Bet: Go Isla Go to win

RACE 5

Eight Carat descendant Maryland Bridge was good in her first campaign with a win and two close second placings. Wasn’t at home on the wet track at Gunnedah when resuming from a spell but still tried hard. Will be better for the run and getting back on a dry track. Zedari went down in a driving finish when third to Extreme Merger at Kempsey two starts back before breaking through with a tough win to hold out from Stock The Rose at Tamworth on Nov 28. Wide draw is the concern. Taborca hasn’t raced since his third to Pad Thai at Scone in July last year. He has had three recent trials and led all-the-way to win his latest heat at Tamworth on Dec 13.

Bet: Maryland Bridge each-way

RACE 6

Leica Storm covered ground when second over 1280m at Muswellbrook on Mar 31 before breaking through at Mudgee eight days later when stepping up to 1400m despite covering extra ground again. Closed off well on the fence when third over 1200m at Mudgee when resuming on Dec 1 and will appreciate getting back to 1400m. Bliss is shooting for a hat-trick after her big maiden win at Warren and a narrow win at Mudgee on Dec 1. Drawn well and a good chance again. Majestic Bliss scored back-to-back wins at Mudgee and Warren but just wasn’t at her best on the soft track at Mudgee last start. Drops back in grade and can bounce back.

Bet: Leica Storm to win

RACE 7

Overextend kicked off his campaign with a driving win to beat Adamdeeant over 1000m at Taree on Nov 27. Came from second half of the field and was widest on the bend when a head second to Johnny Dash on his inside at Narromine eight days later. Titration kicked off his preparation with a handy win at Mudgee back on Dec 1. Drawn to get the right run and figure prominently. Test The Waters is resuming from a spell. Has ben handy in his two trials including a fourth behind Group 1 winner Royal Merchant in his Newcastle heat on Nov 30.

Bet: Overextend to win

Originally published as Race day focus: Preview, best bets and inside mail for Sunday’s meeting at Coonamble