GANMAIN punter Jed Lawton hopes one of the feelgood stories of the Kosciuszko, Mr Hussill, has another chapter in his fairy tale to write on Saturday.
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Lawton and his syndicate, which boasts members across the state, chose the Scone-based runner after winning a slot in the $1.3 million country feature.
After suffering a pelvic injury which ends the career of most horses early in his racing life, the six-year-old is now preparing to race in the world's richest race for country horses at Randwick.
The injury, which he sustained during his second win in three career starts at Dubbo in October, 2019, was the beginning of a racing hiatus lasting almost two years.
Subsequent throat and suspensory issues meant he didn't race again until July, 2021, where he won a Highway Handicap at Randwick.
He has since backed that up with back-to-back placings in Highway Handicaps, and was rated a $19 hope for the Kosciuszko on Thursday after he drew barrier six.
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"I'm not nervous, just excited. Obviously we can't get up there (to the track) but we'll do the best we can from here," Lawton said.
"One of the guys up in Sydney, he did most of the dealings with the owners and spoke to Cameron Crockett the trainer, he's been sending us updates every couple of days.
"He had a 1000m gallop last Friday which finished him up pretty well. He had a good barrier draw on Wednesday and he (Crockett) was more than happy with draw number six.
And he's got (jockey) Regan Bayliss on, who's had a couple of recent winners in big races."
The heavy rain forecast for Sydney in the lead-up isn't a concern to connections, who believe Mr Hussill won't mind some give in the ground.
His return win in July was on a Heavy8-rated track.
"He handles the conditions whether it's wet or dry, he's happy for it to have some give around the ground," Lawton said.
"Cameron will give us another call the day before the race and go over the final preparations.
"They're happy he's going along well after having a couple of years off. Hopefully everything goes OK and he gives us something to celebrate.
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