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By Ray Hickson

It was seen as a formality out at Coonamble but Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final favourite Gallant Star added a new weapon to his armory as he led all the way to win the $150,000 feature.

Jason Collett and Brett Robb after Gallant Star's win at Coonamble. (Pic: Janian McMillan).

Jockey Jason Collett took any chance of bad luck out of the question by pouncing on the lead and the five-year-old outclassed his rivals leading in a trifecta for his trainer Brett Robb.

On the back of going one better than last year in the WRA Championship, Gallant Star firmed to $3.50 with TAB to improve on his second to Asgarda in the 2024 Final.

Collett, who hadn’t ridden Gallant Star since they won the Barn Dance in November, said when the gelding began so well he had no hesitation in making the running.

“I just wanted to make sure I was ahead of the ruck,’’ Collett said.

“He’d been beginning cleanly in his trials so I wanted to make sure I was taking the bad luck out of it.

“He’s a lovely horse, I rode a couple earlier and there’s a big difference between what I rode to him.

“He’s a class above them and a nice way to get it done.”

Gallant Star started $1.18, the shortest priced favourite in Country Championships history, and held a comfortable 4-1/4 length margin over Rouge Moulin with Poisen Point another 1-1/2 lengths back in third.

The trip to Coonamble was important for Collett to get another feel for Gallant Star and he headed back to Sydney content he’s on the horse beat.

“He doesn’t have to lead but it’s nice to know that he can if it does unfold like that,’’ he said.

“The give in the ground is probably beneficial of them, it was firm today and he felt great so all signs are good.”

Brett Robb conceded he felt a little pressure saddling up such a short priced favourite but at the same time was confident Gallant Star was ready to go.

He said the plan was to be a little closer in the run, not necessarily to lead, given the way the Coonamble track had been playing through the meeting.

“In his trials he’s been jumping out and showing he wants to run but I didn’t think he’d lead like that,’’ Robb said.

“When he got into $1.20 I got real nervous. I knew he was a classy horse. I’ve been riding him all his work myself this preparation so I was pretty confidence I had him fit enough.

Gallant Star wins WRA Country Championships at Coonamble

“We all know he likes Randwick so I think he will be spot on.”

The Dubbo trainer won the Country Championships Final two years ago with Sizzle Minizzle, who started a $61 chance at Randwick.

Two placed remain in the final field of 16 for the 2025 edition and they'll be filled by the winners of the Northern Wild Card at Scone on Friday and the Southern Wild Card at Goulburn on March 23.

All the results and replays for Sunday's Coonamble meeting