3 minute read

It’s invariably short odds and civility when regional heavyweight Matt Dunn numbers up on home track Murwillumbah, but leading young Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa provides value with three form gallopers in respective races at Sunday’s TAB meeting.

However, the concern for all is continuing rain with the track a Heavy 10 already.

Matthew Dunn has eight runners before scratchings spread throughout the capacity seven-event program, a couple will be in "red" figures and entitled to be coming back from Brisbane and Sydney company.

In particular, Whodat in the Murwillumbah Golf Club maiden has been placed at Eagle Farm and twice at Doomben. He's fitter second-up from a Doomben placing.

For Costa in respective events races, Far Reaching (race 2) Who Loves To Dance , an ex-Gary Moore (race 4) and Brave Nick (race 7) importantly have wet track form.

Dual winner Brave Nick is Costa's best with a dominant Heavy 10 win on his resume at Ballina recently and back in grade from the Sunshine Coast.

Costa remains high rolling following the Magic Millions Carnival at home where The Ritz scored a tremendous "last to first" win in the Rising Stars and with increasing numbers he is more regular on northern rivers tracks educating newcomers.

Last season was career defining for Costa when he ran second in the famous Ramornie with Phobetor who progressed spectacularly to win the Group 2 Heineken Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick in August while stablemate Purrfect Deal earlier won the historic Grafton Cup.

Then The Ritz ran up to his name.

Conditions will prompt scratchings and the concern is no break from downpours.