MUSWELLBROOK'S Jan Bowen had one stroke of luck only to see it evaporate as she tries to qualify Roman Typhoon for the Country Championships Final at Randwick next month.
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Now, she is hoping the good fortune will hold in the $50,000 Championship Wild Card (1280m) at Muswellbrook on Sunday, March 24.
Roman Typhoon was the first emergency for the Tamworth heat but, as luck would have it, landed a start after scratchings.
Unfortunately, it evaporated when the horse ran wide on the turn then stormed home to finish fifth.
"I really think he should have run second and, if he had, we would be off to Randwick," Bowen said.
"I will nominate him for the Wild Card but my fear is that he won't have enough benchmark points to get a start.
"I think the Wild Card is going to be really strong because there are so many good horses with high benchmarks that failed to qualify through their heats.
"The Wild Card is the last chance for owners and trainers.
"All I can do is hope our luck holds out and he gets a run."
First and second from the Wild Card earn a start in the $500,000 Championship Final (1400m) on April 6.
Scone trainer Stephen Jones is adamant he should have won the Tamworth heat with Hit The Target and will be nominating for the Wild Card, too.
Hit The Target ran third after starting from a wide barrier.
"He was always wide from gate 13 while the winner never left the fence," Jones said.
"I think he has the makings of a very good horse."
Hit The Target was sent to Jones by Gerry Harvey as a colt because of his unruly ways.
However, the now four-year-old gelding has mended his manners and gone on to win three races from his only six starts.
"I think he should have won all six," Jones said.
Lee Magorrian, who rode Hit The Target for the first time at Tamworth, has again taken the ride but again the horse has to secure a start because of his benchmark.