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The interminable bond between racing and Rugby League evaluates for a super weekend for locals and the hordes of visiting enthusiasts to Mudgee where an eight-race TAB meeting on Sunday follows Saturday’s annual NRL confrontation between Manly and the Canberra Raiders.

Trainers familiar with Central Western tracks over the decades, including Dubbo veteran Garry Lunn, were confident of an upgrade and Mudgee conducts a program named after Manly greats on a Soft 7 after an early week rating of a Heavy 8.

Honeywine wins for Reece Jones at Muswellbrook. Image by Bradley Photographers

From Dubbo’s celebrated Lunn racing family, Garry at 63, is the eldest of six brothers who have made the natural progression from race riding to training or breeders/owners.

They rarely miss at tracks in proximity to their stables and offer big value with four runners between Garry and Dar Lunn who still ride trackwork as veterans.

“We’ve missed the rain, it’s been sunny in Dubbo, we’re an hour and a half on road to Mudgee, it’ll race perfect, up here will be fine for anybody traveling for the footy and races,” Garry offered.

Garry and Dar will truck it together with their outsiders and although invariably outnumbered by the bigger regional stables they are positive enough in capacity fields.

“Never seen fields like it up here, the bigger stables are regulars now, but we’ll be competitive.

“I’ve got a maiden up from Ben Hayes, McLennan trialled nicely, both his runs for me have been promising. He’s placed five now, fitter, drawn and appreciate out to 1400m.”

But when Baker, Ryan & Alexiou and Cavanough bring newcomers, guarantee it’s no typical bush maiden. They contest the Manly Sea Eagle’s Maiden (1400m).

Garry has Honeywine and Ollivander at lengthy odds in the Bob Fulton Memorial BM 58, 1850m.

“Good old horse, Honeywine, six wins for us, forget his run in a harder race at Wellington, drew wide and copped a squeeze, he carried 60 kilos and won really well at Muswellbrook previously.

“Ollivander is drawn out but going okay, won at Dubbo over 2200m then drew wide and over-raced out of his comfort zone, he’ll improve.”

Bjorn Baker has a strong representation, as has former Mudgee trainer Cameron Crockett, now at Scone, and also neighbour Brett Cavanough. They’ll provide most favourites.

A bumper crowd is assured with popular footy and racing packages as spectators will be able to meet past and present players from Manly and Canberra.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Mudgee here