3 minute read

Two races in three days for the same durable bush galloper!

Virtually unheard of in the modern era, but Dubbo's celebrated training veteran and former jockey Dar Lunn has achieved it before and is confident he can manage similar at Mudgee on Saturday and Monday's Wellington TAB meeting.

Dar intends backing up his tough in-form mare Miss Twenty Two from Saturday's non-TAB Mudgee meeting into Wellington.

"I've done it a few times over the years, so have other country trainers, I've ridden a few backing up as well, just depends on the constitution of the horse and the races available," said the near four-decade jockey and 20 years+ trainer.

"It happened more way back when there wasn't as many tracks or racedays in the bush.

"After these two meetings there's wasn't anything for this mare, both races were suitable.

"She's strong, good doer and she thrives on work and racing. Mature six-year-old and mares hold form.

"She'd have to pull up well from Mudgee though. We'll see but at this stage, I'm sending her around both days.

"She's well placed in both Benchmark 58s as an eight-race winner."

At Mudgee Miss Twenty Two is in the BM 58 with 59kg for Jake Pracey Holmes and at Wellington in the third event, also a BM 58 with Clayton Gallagher who rides her at 55.5kg, 0.5kg over.

Dar also has stablemate Destiny's Son in that same Wellington race with Jake Barrett claiming 1.5kg off 57.5kg.

"Both are in good order and will run well; the mare was real unlucky at Narromine last start, lost her position at a vital stage but won well at Gilgandra previously.

"Clayton rode her in both, she doesn't win at Gilgandra unless he's on. Destiny's Son was in the finish at Forbes, race fit."

Dar is confident Daredevil will run well in the sixth event.

"Its better when the pressure's on, it's owned by my missus Jill, there's always a good sling if I win for her, same as when I was riding," Dar chuckled.

"We won the Mendooran Cup with it, real thrill for Jill."

Dar is the eldest of six brothers from a traditional racing family and several will oppose each other on Monday.

"Garry has a couple of nice chances, but we run our own races, help out occasionally but every man for himself on raceday."

Dar is having one of his best seasons since suffering a stroke last year and three months away from training.

At present Mudgee is rated a Good 4 with Wellington a Soft 5.