Justin Stanley's six year old Get to the Chopper is finding good form ahead of his tilt at the Country Magic Classic 2 Showcase Plate, according to the Narromine trainer.
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"I was very happy with him after his trial in Wellington," Stanley said.
The gelding got the best of the field in that trial outing, beating Kody Nestor's highly touted Mr Dumont by a half a length after enjoying a lengthy, five month spell.
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"I saw this race in the program, I thought it would be a nice race to have him forward for it, so we gave him the trial to give him a nice little bit of pep going into it, if he gets a little bit of luck in the run, I think he's a real good chance."
Get to the Chopper was paired with jockey Matthew Cahill for that stand-out trial performance, and will be again at Dubbo on Sunday.
Despite contending across a slightly longer track this time around - 1100m to two successful performances across 900m in Wellington - Stanley thinks the barrier will be the biggest obstacle to a big win on Sunday.
Get to the Chopper has drawn the furthest out, eighteenth barrier for the showcase.
"I give him a real good chance, despite the fact that he's going along the outside, I think it really depends on how the track might play that day, with the weather and condition, it could be a good or bad thing, but I give him a real good chance regardless."
"He's very bright, I'm very happy with the way he's going, probably the best I've ever had him. The barrier draw's a bit of drama, but we'll see."
Get to the Chopper will be one of the many horses, and Justin Stanley one of the many trainers, benefiting from Racing NSW's 'Country Magic' country racing restrictions; a move aimed at providing more races solely for country trainers, and giving them more opportunities to earn bigger prize totals.
"It's great for the owners," Stanley said.
"They put all the hard money into the game and it's good to see and get that good kick in to the races, it gives us country blokes a bit more of a chance to actually get some money."
"The prize money increase is unbelievable, we're really happy about it, now we've just got to win a little bit of it."
Get to the Chopper won't be Stanley's only horse on the day, with five others competing across the day's races, including Country Championships qualifier winner Good Host, who Stanley considers the best chance amongst a group of 'rough hopes'.
"Good Host is down in the weight a bit, he's probably coming back into play after that championship win, he got clumped with a lot of weight, a few benchmark points probably weren't doing him any good."
"I'd rate him around about a Class 3 right now. He's definitely got a good chance in that race if everything works out for him."