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By Mark Brassel

Trainer Dar Lunn is hoping lightning can strike twice when he produces Pants on Fire in Sunday’s $150,000 Evergreen Turf Country Championships (1400m) at Coonamble.

The Dubbo-based trainer landed the prize in last year’s race when Elson Boy and Tommy Berry scored at a double-figure price knocking out the $1.60 favourite Gallant Star in a photo finish.

Lunn will again hope Pants on Fire can bring down Gallant Star who looks certain to be sent out an odds-on favourite with top Sydney jockey Jason Collett heading up to ride him.

Pants on Fire (Coriah Keatings) returns after winning at Bathurst. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

Pants on Fire has not started since last year’s Coonamble Country Championships when she finished last behind her stablemate Elson Boy.

“She pulled up lame after that race, so we gave her a long spell and she’s now ticking over nicely,” Lunn said.

“We must go to the Country Championships first-up as she’s won five races and had 20 starts which is the maximum under the eligibility clauses.

“She’s trialled three times and I’ve been happy with her efforts so we’re going into the race quietly confident she’ll run a big race.

“Kody Nestor rode her in her last trial on Friday and we’d like to have him for the Coonamble race but it’s a matter of what weight she receives.”

A flashy grey-brown mare, Pants on Fire has recorded five wins and four placings from her 20 outings.

Lunn added that Elson Boy, who won six races straight during March-June last year, has returned from a spell and will be aimed at the Brisbane Winter Carnival. Also making the trip to Coonamble aside from Jason Collett will top Sydney hoops Tommy Berry and Zac Lloyd.

First and second in the Coonamble Country Championships receive a berth in the $1m Final over 1400m at Royal Randwick on Saturday 5 April.

Coonamble Jockey Club hosts a Country Championships Calcutta on Saturday at the Terminus Hotel commencing at 6pm.

"On Sunday we will have a Fashions on the Field with a Miss Country Championships, Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Bloke, Best Dressed Couple and Junior Boy and Girl, along with kids’ activities and a lucky gate prize," said CJC's Secretary, Ana Robson.

"There's also a luncheon in the Brian Fletcher Stand with our sponsors, local Council members and Sydney guests from Evergreen Turf, Dad & Dave Turf and Racing NSW.

"Our main sponsors are Qube Agri and Nutrien Ag Solutions and there'll be a marquee with local families participating, and being a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting there’s $425,000 in prizemoney on offer for the nine-race card."

Meanwhile, Sapphire Coast Turf Club is primed for a great day’s racing with Pambula Cup Day on Saturday.

“We will have a stylish Fashions on the Field contest and an exciting 100m sprint race,” said Jen Svenoy, SCTC’s Sponsorship & Marketing Manager.

“There is also a TAB, bookmakers, bars, food vans and free kids’ entertainment ensuring fun for the whole family.

“And there are free buses to and from the track so visit our website for times and locations – sapphirecoastturfclub.com.au.

“Pambula Cup Day is proudly sponsored by Bendigo Bank, McDonald's Merimbula & Bega, Top Pub Pambula, Pambula Super Cellars, Tasman Windows and Swannies Clothing Co with gates opening at midday.”

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Cowra
Tuesday: Goulburn, Port Macquarie
Thursday: Wagga
Friday: Muswellbrook
Saturday: Sapphire Coast, Gunnedah, Broken Hill (non-TAB), Crookwell picnics (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonamble, Grafton