WAGGA trainer Gary Colvin admits he is 'quietly confident' Another One will run a big race in Saturday's $500,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Another One and the Donna Scott-trained Bautista will represent the Southern District in this year's final after running one-two in a blanket finish in the qualifier at Wagga in February.
Another One has not had a race start since his eye-catching victory, winning a trial at Wagga last month to keep him ticking over.
Colvin admits this is one Sydney trip where he holds an element of confidence.
"It's a very open race, I think. Nothing really stands out," Colvin said.
"I'm quietly confident he'll run a big race. Sometimes you come to Sydney to make up the numbers but I think he's right in it with a big show."
Another One already has a Sydney victory to his name, winning a Highway Handicap at his fifth start at Randwick in December.
Nick Heywood, who has ridden him at four of his seven starts, retains the ride on Saturday, where they will start from barrier 12 in the 16-horse field.
Colvin's instructions to Heywood will be to find cover and don't get too far back.
"He can be a bit tardy but I'd rather be drawn out there than on the inside where he can get cluttered in behind them," he said.
"The horses on the outside, they should be able to cart him across. Hopefully we can get out and get going and get a bit of cover.
"All I'll ask Nick is to get a bit of cover and I'll be happy. Hopefully we're midfield. I wouldn't want to be too much worse than midfield because then we're going to have to run home in 32 (seconds) to win."
There was rain in Sydney on Wednesday night but the forecast is for good drying conditions up until raceday. The expectations are for a soft track come Saturday.
Another One has won his only start on a soft track and was an unlucky second on debut when facing a heavy track.
Colvin is not worried about the track conditions.
"I'm not really worried. He trialled on a heavy eight the other day and showed a really good turn of foot," he said.
"The weather is really good from now on so I think it will be a slow track, which doesn't worry me at all."
MORE SPORT NEWS
Colvin travelled Another One to Sydney on Wednesday and worked his stable star at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning.
"He travelled good. We worked him at Warwick Farm and were pretty happy. So I'm very happy with him," he said.
"He looks nice and bright and ready to go."
Colvin said he is excited for what is to come in Sydney over the weekend but maintained there is a 'job to be done' and looking after the horse was his number one focus.
He said it will be up to the owners to enjoy the festivities on offer with connections travelling from Townsville, Wollongong, Wagga and Tullibigeal to be there.
Colvin mentioned that 50 per cent of the owners hail from Tullibigeal originally.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters