The $500,000 Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick may be the biggest race on offer for regional trainers next weekend, but it's another feature Todd Howlett is focusing on.
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The Cessnock-based trainer will be heading to Wellington next Sunday, where he will saddle up the lighly-race Toto in the $150,000 Wellington Boot.
The well-named Toto ran fifth on debut just over a week ago at Muswellbrook, but the effort was excellent.
"He had to work hard up front with a couple of others trying to lead," Howlett told Racing NSW.
"He kept going and only weakened over the final 150 metres so the under the circumstances and on a heavy track, the run was top notch.
"We were very pleased with his performance and we'll just see how he fares during the week before we lock him in for the Boot.
"He's a really nice horse and reckon we'll have a bit of fun with him."
The gelding is nicely named, being by Manhattan Rain from Outofafrika, with 'Africa' having been a monster hit in the 1980s for the American band, Toto.
Howlett has his shock Muswellbrook winner Yuralla Boy entered for the $100,000 Quains Liquor Wellington Showcase Cup (1700m).
Yuralla Boy led most of the way at Muswellbrook last Sunday at the succulent odds of $51 when resuming from a two-month break.
"Yes, his win was a big surprise," Howlett admitted.
"Being a 2200 metre winner at Gosford on New Year's Eve, we thought that the 1450m might be a bit too short for him. We really believed he'd have his work cut out with an inexperienced apprentice aboard.
"I suppose the wet track would also have helped him, but Liam [Blanch] rode him well."
Sunday's Wellington program is a Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting and also features the $50,000 Wellington Town Plate (1100m).
The Country Championships Final is Saturday.
