Trainer doubles down
DUBBO trainer Clint Lundholm is in a position to quinella the first and last races at his home track today with Sprezzatura his standout on the card.
A son of Testa Rossa, Sprezzatura loves racing at his home track with two close seconds from his four Dubbo outings and a highly creditable sixth in a Country Championship Qualifier in March.
His worst run at the venue was as recently as November 20 where he and Greg Ryan were essentially poleaxed halfway up the straight about to reach full tilt.
Sprezzatura lines up in the aptly-named Back To The Track Handicap (1310m) alongside stablemates and last-start winner Ben Shoof.
“Sprezzatura had a big weight that day and was a long way off them and was interrupted all the way up the running
but to still finish within three lengths was a good run,” Lundholm said.
“Greg is sticking with him and I think the race is going to be run to suit him for sure.”
Ben Shoof meanwhile has to
take the step from a maiden to a class 1 today but the son of Helmet made light work of an unusually strong bunch at Narromine last time out.
“He won really well and the horse that ran third to him, The Warlord, came out and won on Friday at Mudgee,” Lundholm said.
Lundholm can get his fans off to the right start with a win to either Little Caesar or Sipharderson who are both down to run in the Auckland Racing Club Maiden Hcp (1010m).
Little Caesar put the writing on the wall for a bold debut effort with a recent trial win at Dubbo on November 20.
“He pulled up quite distressed after his first trial and a bit fat so we decided to given him one more trial and take it a bit easier on him and he trialled really well,” Lundholm said. “He has improved and I think he can run a nice race.”
Sipharderson has drawn wide today in contrast to his last start when fifth from barrier one with Greg Ryan up.
“Greg has jumped off Sipharderson to ride Healing Hands so he’s obviously got an opinion of it,” Lundholm said.