Lawton and his work punters club closed a deal with the connections of Scone sprinter Mr Hussill late on Friday.

It came after Lawton was one of 12 lucky punters to win a slot in the Kosciuszko last Thursday week.

For Lawton it came as a complete shock and immediately threw him into the hot seat as trainers and connections of horses across the state presented their case to represent the slot.

Ultimately, after a week of debate, Lawton's group settled on the Cameron Crockett-trained Mr Hussill.

"One of the guys was talking to the trainer and he's happy with the runs that it's had. It's come back from injury. He said he's fit, they've been aiming for this race," Lawton said.

"We got a good deal with the owner, they seem nice, I think there is four in it. Cameron is going to keep us updated. He seems a good bloke too."

Lawton admitted he pushed the case of the Gary Colvin-trained Another One but it was not to be.

Lawton said it was a tough decision for the six-man group.

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"It was pretty hard. That's what we've decided so I'm happy with it," he said.

"The other guys negotitated (Mr Hussill). I was talking to Gary Colvin here in Wagga about Another One."

Lawton said the experience already had been a whirlwind and now he is hopeful of being able to attend the big day at Randwick on October 16.

"It's pretty wild. You wouldn't believe it," he said.

"It's madness. They all want to get their horse in, obviously.

"It's been good. Hopefully we can get down there for it but who knows."

Mr Hussill has won three of his six race starts and has returned from a long lay-off, due to injury, this campaign.

The six-year-old resumed with an impressive TAB Highway Class Two Handicap win, then has run third and second at his next two Highway starts.

Only two slots remain available in this year's Kosciuszko.

Another One remains available and he ran second in a trial at Wagga on Saturday, won impressively by fellow Wagga galloper Blitzar, who is also in the Kosciuszko market.

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