3 minute read
Amidst a bumper season delayed, Clint Lundholm is immensely relieved to be racing again with over 20 nominations at four meetings and has provided a compelling lead by accepting with both Listen To The Band and Macchina Volante for Sunday’s historic TAB Parkes Services Club Parkes Cup.
"All the washouts have been killing us, programme setbacks, no revenue, we nommed at meetings programmed to try and ensure we get a run somewhere," the crack young Dubbo trainer explained.
Lundholm is having his best ever season with 40 winners and 90 placegetters.
The stable will have seven runners at Parkes and numerous others at Scone over two days, Cootamundra and Brewarrina on Saturday into Sunday with eight acceptors through eight races.
Listen To The Band ($3.20 favourite on TAB) and Macchina Volante ($15) were nominated at alternate meetings, so Parkes and the $40,000 Cup is the lead.
Both Listen To The Band to be ridden by Jake Pracey Holmes and Macchina Volante with stable apprentice Zoe Hunt have contested stronger races.
In particular Listen To The Band. Last prep in March he won the WRA Country Championships qualifier at Coonamble beating Sizzle Minizzle the subsequent Championships Final winner at Royal Randwick.
And this year in the corresponding qualifier he was a photo third to airborne Elson Boy on a winning treble.
At nine years he's only had 12 starts and managed five wins despite severe issues.
"Just an old marvel, two operations for bone chips and various other issues, broke down last season after winning the Coonamble Championships but he's just keeps finding a way back and loves to race," Clint explained.
Listen To The Band has 56kg and barrier four for Jake while Macchina Volante, 57.5kg less the 3kg claim for Zoe Hunt.
"Both drawn well and weighted to be right in it, they've run well in some really strong regional races - I never thought at his age we'd go to a 'mile' with Listen To The Band.
"But Jake got off him after that Wagga Town Plate at 1200m where he closed off and said he wants further now, lets try him at a mile.
"And Jake knows, rides him all the time."
Macchina Volante is a seven-race winner fitter for one run from a spell in a race too short at Narromine also won by Elson Boy.
"Yep, 100%, slow out, too far back, no luck whatsoever. He's won twice second-up."
The tough miler Baledon is a dual acceptor would have been the likely favourite with dominant Open wins of late and accomplished veteran Ron Stubbs has also given a strong pointer by electing for the Vinery Country Cup at Scone on Friday where he is a $6.50 chance.
Parkes has a rich history racing since 1887 when local riders often raced against police and incognito bushrangers including the Kelly gang.
The track at present is a Soft 6 in fine weather.
