Stephan to continue comeback in Wagga Town Plate

Now, Stephan is poised for a significant triumph if he can do the seemingly impossible and complete the resurrection of his career.

In the space of a year, Stephan has gone from a winning a maiden at Canberra to Sydney glory and the best could still be ahead.

Canberra trainer Gratz Vella, who will also be represented by the fast finishing Levee Bank in the $150,000 feature on Thursday, said Stephan appeared to be a spent cause before his career took off.

The $6 favourite for the Town Plate spent more time in the paddock than in training after having his first start way back in August, 2015.

"He spent about three years in the paddock as he was always injured," Vella said.

"The horse was never going to come back into racing again. He was just about ready to race another time and he did a suspensory again.

"I thought, and the owner, thought that was it then one of her friends asked if there was a horse she could take a share in.

"Stephan was given another chance and he won first-up at Canberra almost three years after his first start as a two-year-old."

Vella admitted Stephan was primed to go after carrying a big weight last start when fifth at Wagga.

"He drops 5.5 kilograms and his runs have been enormous all the way," he suggested.

"This is our grand final - the race we have been talking about for a long time.

"I have a top jockey in Tommy Berry on board and I'm confident Stephan will run a big race."

The forecast rain, and depending on when it arrives, will determine the fate of fellow Canberra sprinters Tougherthantherest and Mercurial Lad.

Tougherthantherest will be scratched if the rain arrives prior to the scratching deadline early Thursday morning, while Mercurial Lad will shorten due to his affinity for soft tracks.

Trainer Keith Dryden has already won a Town Plate with Green Waters and would love to take home another with Tougherthantherest.

"He won't start with 60 kilograms on a track that is too wet," Dryden said.

"He is also in at Sydney on Saturday and I will see what happens with the weather on Thursday morning."

Wagga jockey Nick Heywood is down to ride Tougherthantherest.

Canberra trainers boast a strong hand in this year's Town Plate and account for six of the 16 starters in the race, including the favourite (Stephan) and equal second favourite (Who's Knocking).

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