Waiting For A Mate, who provided comeback jockey John Kissick with his first winner on his return at Albury last start, will line-up as one of the leading contenders in the Benchmark 74 (1400m).

The five-year-old is back in peak form and as good as he has ever been, according to his trainer Norm Loy.

"He went through a period when he had a virus and never came back as good as he was," Loy said.

"He is right again now and it was a tough win last start, but this is a harder race."

Waiting For A Mate will break through $80,000 in prize money should he win for the sixth time.

Last start winner Real Key will line-up after success at Wagga last Saturday, while the top weight Lead Choreographer is an interesting runner having his second start after a lengthy racing break.

Lead Choreographer has only raced twice in the past 26 months and finished last at his most recent appearances in Sydney.

Real Key will be ridden by three kilogram claiming apprentice Georgina McDonnell who hasn't previously ridden in the area.

Another of the main chances, Gunga Din, has won four of his 14 starts and is expected to improve a lot on his first-up unplaced start at Moruya.

Loy said Waiting For A Mate will be ridden in the same manner as he was at Albury providing him with the best opportunity to win.

"He has to be just there travelling into it and get over the top of them late," Loy said.

"As a younger horse he was often waiting for another horse on the training track and that is how he got his name.

"He is different now, but gets going when he is behind other horses."

Meanwhile, after two career seconds behind short priced favourites, Delacour will be well fancied to break through in the 2YO.

Delacour is trained by Norm Gardner at Canberra who also prepared her half relation Law Of The Land to 10 wins.

"She has been beaten by a $1.30 and a $1.40 chance both times and was a bit unlucky at Bathurst when she got held up," Gardner said.

"The 1300 metres should suit and she should be very competitive."

The opening race has attracted a field of ten with every horse trying to win for the first time.

The top weight Another One finished second on debut when unlucky not to win after being blocked for a run at a vital stage.

Important Product has raced against better opposition in two starts and is well suited, while Come Get Me is also nearing a win after two seconds from five starts.

Spicy Restaurant ran well to finish fourth at Scone last start and is another with strong chances.

There will be eight races on Friday with the track expected to remain in the heavy range.

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