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Rising young trainer Ethan Ensby predicts Murwillumbah will race on a Heavy 8 for Friday’s TAB meeting, transferred from Casino, and fancies his chances with several runners.
These include powerful filly Without A Doubt after recent meetings in the region were abandoned or transferred.
Typically, the Casino-based Ethan Ensby is outnumbered by Northern Rivers heavyweight trainer and prolific TAB Highway winner Matthew Dunn who has also trained 10 winners in Brisbane and has numbered up in most of eight races.
"I've spoken to trainers stabled on track, in clearing weather still rated a Heavy 10, but confident of racing providing no more rain but it'll still be on the worst side of heavy - has been atrocious weather up here."
Ensby is focused on impressive last start Grafton 1720m heavy winner Without a Doubt, formerly with Danny O'Brien in Melbourne.
The three-year-old filly contests a Rural Irrigation Supplies BM58, 2020m.
"This filly was a $350,000 yearling, not sure if she beat much in a steady maiden but it was enormous from near last on heavy, she's trained on, gets conditions to suit again and more ground," Ensby enthused.
"Look we'd even considered nomming for the Run to The Roses at Doomben but with a three-year-old filly, just out of maiden grade best to be patient."
Without a Doubt, obviously by Not a Single Doubt, was moved on by the O'Brien stables after just two starts at 1200m and 1400m at the Victorian provincials.
"We bought her for near 12 grand; she's not really bred to stay but she wasn't showing much in sprints down there and then with us until it was obvious she wanted more ground.
"And when she did wow! Does suggest she can go through the grades getting out in distance and she's thrived."
Ethan also rates another former Victorian Three Graces in a fourth race maiden.
"She'll run a race, been the victim of bad luck and ordinary rides, but this mare is fitter for racing, her runs have been much better than the form reads, and she ran really well at Sandown early career.
"I like her in the right race if she gets through the ground."
At present Murwillumbah is a Heavy 10 in fine weather.
