THERE'S little doubt the William Farrer Hotel's Super Punters Club (SPC) is due a change of luck when it comes to the Kosciuszko.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Which is why they won't be taking any chances to ensure their hopes Front Page and Nadaraja will arrive at Sydney safely after Front Page was sensationally scratched as favourite last year after injuring himself in his float.
"I spoke to (Scone-based trainer) Stephen Jones this afternoon (Thursday) and he's very happy with the horse (Nadaraja). He's taking him down on Friday on his truck, not on a float," SPC member David Byrne said.
"He said if he can get hurt on that he'll get hurt anywhere. He's very happy with his preparation and how he's pulled up going into it."
In 2018 the SPC did a deal to have early favourite Care To Think run for them, but after he was scratched they elected for Awesome Pluck which finished third in the $1.3 million feature for country horses.
They're hopeful there won't be any need for some last minute scrambling come race day on Saturday.
Nadaraja and Front Page are both rated legitimate chances in the Randwick 1200m contest. Front Page is on the third line of betting at $7, while up-and-comer Nadaraja is a $15 hope after three straight victories at his home track at Scone.
Nadaraja has been dominant in all three victories after finishing second on debut, including a sizzling 5.6 length victory for his second win when sent out a $7.50 hope.
"One of my mates lives up there and I got a phone call from him before the draw saying 'you boys should have a look at this horse if you get lucky enough to be in, and that's how it started," Byrne said.
"He's only had the four starts and it's all been pretty impressive to date."
Front Page, trained by Corowa's Geoff Duryea, has been racing in top company and ran a strong second at Moonee Valley when third-up on September 24.
"From what he's been racing against, it's chalk and cheese compared to the rest of the horses," Byrne said.
"That's why we're happy with an experienced horse and another who is an up and coming progressive horse. We've got the best of both worlds I think."