Accomplished Dubbo trainer Michael Mullholland, in a winning vein, has given the strongest possible lead with in-form Cheptegei ($3.20 favourite on TAB), declaring the gelding for the traditional $32,000 Breakout River Meats Cowra Japan Cup at Sunday’s Orange TAB meeting.

The rise of Dubbo sprinter Classy Rebel is quite remarkable and it’s reached a point where trainer Dar Lunn says he’s earned the chance to prove himself in the city.

Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn isn’t selling short the chances of in-form sprinter Classy Rebel in the $37,000 Keady Family Crystal Sprint (1200m) after a brilliant preparation that has yielded seven wins from 12 starts.

Dubbo’s Lunn family is a country racing institution and as close-knit as any, but their racetrack rivalry is an entirely different matter with a strong presence throughout Gilgandra’s TAB Collie Cup meeting on Saturday.