WAGGA trainer Scott Spackman admits he faces a couple of sleepless nights ahead as he prepares Yet To Be Convinced for the biggest race of both their careers.
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Spackman and Yet Tobe Convinced will travel to Sydney on Saturday for the $300,000 Country Championship Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
Yet Tobe Convinced qualified with a narrow second placing behind Loved Up in the Wagga heat last month and the form from the race has since been franked.
Spackman is excited for the biggest moment of his training career.
“I’m pumped, I can’t wait,” Spackman said.
“There’s been a few sleepless nights and it’s only going to get worse from here, I can’t wait to get there.
“I think she’s a chance, I really do.”
Yet Tobe Convinced will be ridden by Sydney jockey Kathy O’Hara and has drawn barrier 12.
The five-year-old mare, owned by Craig Hardy, will go up against the most promising bush gallopers on one of the biggest days in Australian racing.
“I’ll be honest, she deserves to be there," he said.
“She's done absolutely nothing wrong and when she has been beat it’s been bad luck, bad rides or bad gates.
“I’ve never had a horse like her, she's so consistent.”
Yet Tobe Convinced is rated a $26 chance with Albury filly Loved Up considered the best of the Southern District hopes at $11.
Spackman thanked his team for their help with his mare, most notably Andy Steiner, Josh Richards and Jess Wynne.
He also thanked Murrumbidgee Turf Club for allowing him to work Yet Tobe Convinced on the course proper.
“It’s been a buzz for everyone,” Spackman said.
“I’m just lucky enough to be up the front steering the ship.”
The Country Championship Final will be run at 1.55pm on Saturday.
