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By Tony Megahey

Dubbo’s Lunn family is a country racing institution and as close-knit as any, but their racetrack rivalry is an entirely different matter with a strong presence throughout Gilgandra’s TAB Collie Cup meeting on Saturday.

“Everybody for themselves on a racetrack, you’re out to win and do the best you can - we train as individuals for a lot of different owners,” explained country feature race specialist Dar Lunn, who has an acute eye for a bargain.

Classy Rebel (Kath Bell-Pitomac) parades at Scone. Image by Bradley Photographers

Dar fancies the chances of his former Victorian Classy Rebel in the $17,000 Collie Hotel Cup (1280m).

“We bought him off website sales for $3500 in July last year after he won a maiden for the Musgroves.

“He’s won seven races for us and a hundred grand - they don’t get much better,” Dar enthused.

“He had a few minor issues, but he’s perfect now, his form says that. Just so tough and genuine.”

The seven-year-old Rebel Raider gelding has won three of his past five starts, going into Saturday’s feature, including the $10,000 Gulgong Gold Cup in late June.

Veteran Dar is the eldest of four training brothers, Garry, Lee and Michael whose wife Karen also trains.

“Our numbers vary out here, I give Lee a hand now and again, but the rest of the family are established.”

Typically, Dar is well versed on the opposing form and tactics as Classy Rebel carries 59kg for Clayton Gallagher who has won a treble on him this prep.

“Important to draw inside at Gilgandra, it's tight and turning but we’re okay in the middle. The speed is on the outside in Patrick May off a freshen.

“But we’ll be right there, Clayton knows how to get the best out of him. Clayton rode Patrick May to win at Parkes, so I hope he’s pulled the right rein.

“They’ll look to get across. But we led to win at Dubbo, and they only got us in late at Narromine in a strong field.  This gelding is just as effective with a sit.”

And Dar says he has a one for punters to follow: “I’ve got a smart mare Praline, she’s won three races, placed in a Highway at Randwick last prep, she’s a better mare now.

“We’re coming back down shortly; she’s had two nice trials.”

At present Gilgandra is a Good 3 in fine weather.

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