Goulburn trainer Lucy Longmire has her eyes on next month’s $2 million Kosciuszko after the win of Oh Arthur in last Saturday’s 1100-metre benchmark 78 at Rosehill. 
“Wasn’t it great to see? So good. So happy for the connections,” Longmire said.
“They’ve stuck with him. He’s been a work in progress. We’ve had our dramas along the way and now he’s paying us back. 
“We’ve had a few small issues with him but today was the right race. Even though we drew wide we decided we had to go because we’re trying to get into the Kosciuszko.” 
Oh Arthur ($15) was ridden by Adrian Layt, and Longmire was quick to acknowledge his contribution.
“Adrian knows him so well and that helped out there today.” 
For the record, the winner scored by a quarter of a length from Kimberley Secrets with She’s An Artist a further three-quarters of a length away in third place.
Dunn’s nearly there
Murwillumbah’s Matthew Dunn is just one short of his 50th TAB Highway win after Zalique took out last Saturday’s edition of the series at Rosehill, a 1400-metre Class 2. 
Tommy Berry settled his mount in second spot before driving him to the lead in the straight. The four-year-old, who was having just his fifth race start, went on to win by a length from Giddy Up Griff. 
“Maybe next week we can crack the 50 but we’re just enjoying the ride,” said stable rep Holly Julius. 
“This horse has done an amazing job today, winning his third in a row this preparation, and Matt has a big opinion of him. He was a candidate to go to Hong Kong at one point but failed the scope. 
“At the end of his last prep he had throat surgery and this time in you can’t stop him. He’s flying.”
Berry said he went into the race full of confidence about the $4.40 favourite.
“He gave me a lot of confidence watching his replays because he’s got a big stride,” Berry said. 
“I just took my time coming across and he got into a nice rhythm after that. He was waiting to get challenged down the straight so he had a bit on them. 
“I think he’s got a bright future.” 
Zalique has now won three from five and Saturday’s performance suggests there’s more to come.
Zalique was not the stable’s only city winner of the afternoon. Earlier in the day, Dunn took out the 2200-metre benchmark 70 at Eagle Farm with Social Outcast ($12), ridden by Anna Roper.
Around the traps
Jean Van Overmeire took riding honours at Kembla Grange last Saturday with a winning treble while trainers Peter Snowden and Kerry Parker had a double apiece. 
At Grafton, the 2220-metre Coutts Crossing Cup went to the Daiki Chujo-trained mare Junostar ($4.40), ridden by Kirk Matheson. 
Despite carrying a half-kilo above her allotted weight, Junostar won by a length and a quarter from Righteous, who shared equal favouritism with third-placed Ayasaki.
Punters were on the ball on Sunday at Mudgee with Gary Portelli-trained $2.15 favourite Strollin’ By winning the $50,000 Super Maiden under Robyn Freeman, from $2.40 second pick Lava Flow. 
At Wyong, the Mark Minervini-trained Smiling Prophet ($4.40) relished the heavy 8 conditions in romping away to a 3¼-length win under Rory Hutchings in the $45,000 benchmark 64 (1350m).
Coming attractions
There’s action aplenty across the state on the first weekend of spring, kicking off on Friday with the listed $250,000 Wyong Gold Cup (2100m), a Big Dance eligibility race. The listed $250,000 Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) for fillies and mares heads the support card.
Saturday is cup day at Mendooran in the central west, with the feature over 1200 metres.
Sunday sees action in the state’s north and south at Moree and Gundagai respectively.
The Moree Cup (1400m), the Moree Town Plate (950m) and a $50,000 Super Maiden (950m) top the bill at Moree while Gundagai also hosts a $50,000 Super Maiden, over 1400 metres.