By Col Hodges

Punters were treated to early Christmas presents when favourites won the first 6 races on Sunday at Coonamble.

The only favourite to miss out was Overextend (2.50) in the final event however there were admirers for the winner Driving Force ($10) in the 1200 metres Geronimo Farm Equipment-New Holland Benchmark 66 Handicap.

A last start winner at Gundagai, the Darren Hyde, Dubbo trained Driving Force looked in trouble when near last and trapped behind a wall of horses when turning for home at Coonamble.

When the apprentice jockey Mitch Stapleford found clear running, Driving Force charged home to win by a short neck from Titration (Nick Heywood, $4) with a half length to third placed Beauchamp (Shayleigh Ingelse, $13).

First to unwrap their presents at Coonamble were the the owners of the Clint Lundholm, Dubbo trained South Bullaway (Will Stanley, $1.95 favourite), all the way winner of the 1100 metres Swanny’s Foods/Wardi Insurance Broking Maiden Handicap.

Wyong trainer Damien Lane, like Clint Lundholm, is formerly from Coonamble and he landed a winning double with Go Isla Go (Clayton Gallagher, $1.45 to $1.24 favourite) in the 1200 metres Grays Auto Electrical Coonamble Auto Spares Super Maiden Plate and Zedari (Clayton Gallagher, $2.70 fav.) in the 1300 metres Elders Class 2 Handicap.

Scone trainer Rod Northam produced the 4 year old debut maker Casino Stage for a most impressive win in the 1400 metres Jake Kaye Contracting Country Boosted Maiden Plate.

Finishing quickly, Casino Stage (Chelsea Hillier, $2.50 fav.) scored by a half length from The Nomad (Serg Lisnyy, $2.60) and Rebel Flyer, Nick Heywood, $5).

Rod Northam and apprentice Chelsea Hillier completed a winning double when Love Rules $1.70 fav.) took the lead approaching the home turn and cleared out to win the 2000 metres Moe Jacobs Plumbing Class 1 & Maiden Plate by over three lengths from World Reign (Michael Heagney, $5.50) and Springstreet Blues (Zoe Hunt,$20).

PHOTO: Gemma Fitzgerald, Simon Harris, Abby Ryan, Ash Saunders, Claudia Ritchie and Billie Brownlow stayed cool in the shade.

Chelsea Hillier and Rod Northam also combined with 3 year filly Sebilla ($6.50) which at debut appealed as a horse to follow when finishing powerfully from a long way back when second to Go Isla Go in the following race.

Continuing the run of winning favourites at Coonamble, the Cameron Crockett, Scone trained Leica Storm (Nick Heywood, $2.90 fav.) parked behind the leaders before scoring a close win over Order Of Merit (Will Stanley, $4.80) and Ringside (Shayleigh Ingelse, $15) in the 1400 metres Halcroft & Bennett Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap.

Coonamble Jockey Club will host the Western Racing Association qualifier on Sunday March 17th for the Newhaven Park Country Championship.

PHOTO: Michael Fletcher, Ken Waterford with sponsor Phil Gray.

Racing at Dubbo on Saturday followed by Wellington (Boxing Day), Orange (Thursday 28th) and Gilgandra (Saturday 30th).

Gilgandra Cup is on Sunday 7th January 2024 with a Calcutta the previous night.