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By John Schell

An in depth look at the chances of every runner in Saturday’s $150,000 Evergreen Turf NRRA Country Championships (1410m) at Lismore.

1. CHANGE THE DATE (Brett Bellamy, Coffs Harbour): Recent form has been pretty good without winning lately. Was placed at Grafton when last produced and was just behind the placings at Doomben, Coffs Harbour and this track before that. Struggling to win of late but has the ability to make an impact if anywhere near his best.

2. MY MUMS’S TOYBOY (Brett Dodson, Coffs Harbour): Has shown plenty of ability in his career with four wins to his name from nine starts. Failed to beat a runner home at Doomben when last produced but was a winner at Grafton before the spell and won two trials leading into the first-up failure. Capable of improving.

3. TRIBECA STAR (Matthew Dunn, Murwillumbah): Hugely talented galloper that won the equivalent of this race last year when it was contested at Grafton. Has rarely been far away in any of his runs since then and ran seventh in The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October. Resumed with a close-up third at Doomben and should be ready to peak here. Looks hard to beat.

4. VOLCANIC LOVE (Scott Henley, Grafton): Racing in fine form with two wins from his last three starts. Charged home when second at Coffs Harbour two starts ago then again hit the line well to arrive in time to score at Doomben. Distance should suit and is worth plenty of thought.

Tribeca Star (Pic: Steve Hart)

5. CARDSHARP (Noel Mayfield-Smith, Coffs Harbour): Has shown talent in his career and has bobbed up at decent odds a couple of times. Was up in grade on previous starts when failing to beat a runner home at Doomben at his latest start. Up against a few handy ones again here and place claims would appear best.

6. FUKUBANA (Matthew Dunn, Murwillumbah): Classy performer with three wins and as many placings from just the eight starts. Ran fourth in the Hobartville this time last year and only failure was in Group 1 grade in the Randwick Guineas. Has had two runs back from a spell in Brisbane for a third at Eagle Farm before a win at Doomben as favourite. Has plenty of upside and should take plenty of beating.

7. LUBRICATION (Matthew Dunn, Murwillumbah): Consistent performer with a good overall record. All three wins have been at Doomben, and he resumed from a spell with a third placing when beaten less than a length at Doomben. Well-bred galloper that can be in the thick of things here.

8. ROMAN REBEL (Samantha McGuren, Grafton): Was a Class 1 winner at Kempsey in December of 2023 then had a long spell before resuming with a seventh at Inverell before a safely held sixth at Grafton. Would need to improve in order to be rated a chance in this.

9. SAMMY CONQUERS ALL (Noel Mayfield-Smith, Coffs Harbour): Lightly raced gelding with just the six starts to his name. Is a two-time winner with a further two placings, including a last start third in Highway grade at Randwick. Hit the line hard in the latest effort and looks to have upside. A forward showing would not surprise.

10. THE WOLF (Brett Bellamy, Coffs Harbour): Has had two starts back from a spell and struggled to make an impact in either of them. Has a solid winning record but might be aiming just a little high in this company at this stage of his career.

11. FAIRWAY CHOICE (David McColm, Murwillumbah): Lightly raced mare with a good record with three wins to her name from just the seven starts. Ran third in this race last year when it was contested at Grafton and has had two runs since resuming from a spell for a fourth at the Sunshine Coast and a seventh at Doomben. Has her share of ability and a forward showing here would not surprise if the breaks go her way.

12. CREDIT CONTROLLER (Shannon Manwarring, Grafton): Was placed at Grafton last August then started at massive odds and managed to score a boilover win at Doomben later that month. Has had two runs since resuming from a spell following that effort and won’t find this any easier. Minor money looks best.

13. VETOED (Dennis Dwane, Lismore): Best run of late was a narrow second at Grafton when resuming from a spell. Was midfield at Ballina as favourite following that. Doesn’t win often and looks to be up against things in this.

SPEED MAP: Change The Date has the speed to boot up and take up a prominent position from the inside gate, while My Mum’s Toyboy will likely push forward from the wide alley to take up a spot close to the lead. Tribeca Star is drawn to get the run of the race and should be camped just off the speed, as should also be the case with stablemates Fukubana and Lubrication. Volcanic Love is versatile but may have to come from behind.

SELECTIONS:
6 FUKUBANA
3 Tribeca Star
7 Lubrication
9 Sammy Conquers All

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Country Championships meeting at Lismore