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By Geoff Newling

Daniel Bowen is revved up for Saturday’s big $150,000 Newhaven Park Northern Rivers Country Championships Qualifier when stable star Amirykal runs in Saturday’s rich 1400 event at Coffs Harbour.

Amirykal is one of 22 nominations for the Qualifier and will be a distinct threat in the rich Class 5 race.

The talented Amirykal carries the stable's hopes on Saturday with the four-year-old mare having won two of her 10 starts and is yet to race at Coffs Harbour.

Amirykal (Adam Hyeronimus) parades at Rosehill Gardens. Image by Bradley Photographers

Her versatility is one of her major assets, the daughter of Akeed Mofeed able to handle good and heavy tracks with equal aplomb.

“She’s one of those rare horses who can handle fast or heavy tracks,” Daniel said. “She’s going well.

"Her two runs back have been good and the timing is right for her.

"If she draws a good barrier I think she will go close. She just needs to get some luck.”

Meanwhile, local trainer Paul Smith has three horses entered for the Qualifier: Northern Wilderose, Lolly Dolly and Bella Broadway.

He’s hoping Northern Wilderose might be able to take out Saturday’s $150,000 NRRA CC Qualifier: “She’s good,” he said.

“A very tough mare and she worked well on Tuesday morning. Just hope we draw an alley and have a little bit of luck (in running).”

He said she has improved “every preparation” and is well in with 55.5kg and she can deliver on both firm and soft tracks is also a positive factor.

Saturday’s NRRA Country Championships Qualifier is the first of seven $150,000 Qualifiers across the State with a 1280m Wild Card at Muswellbrook (Sunday, March 21) before the $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, April 3.

Nowra holds the second Qualifier after Coffs Harbour on Sunday followed by Wagga (Saturday, Feb 20), Taree (Sunday Feb 22), Mudgee (Sunday Feb 28), Tamworth (Sunday, March 7), Coonamble (Sunday, March 14) and Muswellbrook’s Wild Card.

View the race details for Coffs Harbour here