3 minute read

Northern Rivers training heavyweight Matthew Dunn and prolific regional premiership jockey Matty McGuren is the combination to follow at Ballina’s capacity eight-race TAB meeting on Friday.

Matty McGuren typically has a near full book and four rides for Matthew Dunn, including impressive last start Doomben maiden winner Shaquila ($3 favourite on TAB) back in grade to the regionals.

The three-year-old Shalaa (Ire) gelding and four-year-old mare Palawa Kani ($4.40) who won her third race at Ballina recently, appear to be McGuren's best.

"I look to have nice chances all day, but they're in-form progressive types in their right races," offered McGuren, taking time out from riding his farm tractor.

"I see Shaquila is also 'nominated' for a strong race at the Gold Coast Saturday.

"I saw it's Doomben win, closed really nicely.

"Sticky gate (12) but it raced on-pace at Doomben so if it starts here we'll roll forward again. It contested some strong city two-year-old races first prep."

On Friday Shaquila has 61.5kg in a Financial Guidance BM 58, 1310m.

Palawa Kani from the Bowen stables at Lismore contests a XXXX Gold Country Boosted Class 3, 1010m.

"This mare drops near four kilos from a Class 3 off a really strong benchmark 58 win here; three race winner, soft draw so perfectly placed."

In respective races, Dunn and McGuren combine with Centre Bounce ($2.40 fav), Desert Mist ($5) and Dorset Coast ($23) and the Murwillumbah-based Dunn is invariably hard to beat educating newcomers in proximity at Ballina.

Ballina Jockey Club races on a Good 4 track with the chance of a shower during the day.