Mudgee trainer Cameron Crockett wasn’t all too phased when Velaro ran second to Net Effect during the showcase meeting on Friday.

Crockett had told Sky Thorougbred Central prior to the race “he’s special” when discussing the four-year-old gelding.

A potential Country Championships contender next year, Friday’s second-placed finish while stepping up in grade took Velaro's record to three wins and three placings from nine starts.

It wasn’t the perfect race as Verlaro ($2.30 favourite) missed the start and then had plenty to do.

Robert Thompson got the gelding back into the race at the top of the back straight and while he struggled to find a run when turning for home, eventually found a hole, only to be beaten by the $41 outsider.

And while it wasn’t the win, the result still gave Crockett family bragging rights as Mackellar’s Love, trained by his father Max, finished a disappointing eighth.

While Velaro is impressing, Crockett also has plenty more on his plate at the moment.

The young trainer is hopeful of either Sharpe Hussler or Nictock earning one of the last slots in The Kosciuszcko.

Four spots remain and no horse from the western area has yet been chosen for the $1.3 million country-only feature.

“We've had a few little nibbles at Sharpe Hussler but no serious negotiations yet," he said.

“I had a little nibble about for Nictock too. They were both going over to trial today and I think they'll both go really well so if we're lucky enough, well, so be it.

"Otherwise, we'll try and line-up a couple for next year.

"If Sharpe Hussler's lucky enough to get a slot he'll trial here (Scone) a couple of weeks out, probably give him another trial then run him in the Koscuiszko.

"If he doesn't get a slot, he'll go to Randwick, benchmark 88 over 1200 next week.

"Nictock will go from here to an open 1000 at [Kensington] on the long weekend.

"We've got it planned out, you've got to be a step ahead. It doesn't always come off, but you need to have a plan."

Crockett’s more immediate attention is on Bathurst on Monday, with two hopes to go around there.

Talisker Skye will be making a debut in the day’s first race, while Meraki Miss while make a first start for Crockett in the day’s final event.

Talisker Skye heads into the maiden event having won the one trial she contested while Meraki Miss, previously trained by Bjorn Baker, scored one win from six starts during her time in Sydney.