Heywood will saddle up a team of eight horses and has an air of confidence that each and every one of them will run well at their home track on Tuesday.

At the top of that list is lightly-raced four-year-old Leftover Diamond, who will have his second start in the Sheather’s Painting & Decorating Maiden Handicap (1200m).

Leftover Diamond has gone up favourite in the hotly-contested maiden on the back of an impressive trial win at Wagga last month.

He is the horse Heywood is most excited by heading into the meeting.

“I think Leftover Diamond is a nice horse in the making, I really do,” Heywood said.

“He’s got a bright future. He does a lot wrong and is still learning what it’s all about.

“He’s always shown he’s got above average ability in his two trials and his one start and whatever he does (on Tuesday) he’ll be better for in the future."

Leftover Diamond won a trial in May but was a beaten favourite at his first start when fifth behind Find My Tail over 1000m at Wagga.

He was spelled and then trialled strongly at Wagga on November 26, when showing a lot of early speed to beat Spunlago and Forever Newyork.

Nick Heywood will take the ride when the gelding resumes with blinkers on for the first time on Tuesday.

Heywood also has a two-pronged attack in the feature race, the Keough’s Plant Hire Ted Ryder Cup Prelude (1600m).

Not Too Sure will be out to continue his consistent preparation, while Class Clown will be keen to improve on his last-start 11^th in the $100,000 Wodonga Cup (1590m).

Heywood expects both to run well but leans slightly to Class Clown.

“You can forget Class Clown went to Wodonga,” he said.

“It wasn’t a great ride and I don’t think he likes the Victorian way either. You will see a much improved horse (on Tuesday), back to his home track over a mile.

“It’s hard to knock the old, grey fella. He struggles to carry a lot of weight and he struggled with that last start at Wodonga. Not only that, but he had a bad barrier as well.

“We’ve put a heavyweight jockey on so he’s got less dead weight this time but I think Class Clown might just be a little more suited at the mile.”

At this stage, Heywood expects both to push on to the $32,000 Ted Ryder Cup (1600m) on December 24.

Another horse Heywood has high hopes for is Fermanagh Lad in the Anthony Wisely Constructions Open Handicap (1000m).

“If he’s going to win a 1000 metre race, then it’s going to be (on Tuesday),” he said.

Heywood also expects improved runs from Monsoon Charlie, Fox Beat and Wolfofpeterstreet.

He singled out praise for his farrier, Jason Jones, for his work on Monsoon Charlie since puling up with an issue at his last start.

READ MORE