Like most other trainers in the bush, Kody Nestor is hoping for a little luck in the coming weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But regardless of whether he earns a spot or two in the $1.3 million Kosciuszko or not the Dubbo trainer is excited about his spring campaign.
Nestor has Sneak Preview and Jailbreak targeted at the Kosciuszko and hopes the winning ticket holders will get a good look at his two candidates in the coming weeks.
Sneak Preview will contest the feature sprint event on Dubbo Gold Cup day on September 13 while Jailbreak is headed to a 1000m Highway event a week after that.
"We're hopeful more than anything," Nestor said, aware of the quality of bush sprinters.
"Sneak Preview ... my only worry there is the race isn't high enough profile. He'd have to win easily to really get looked at but he wouldn't be out of his class in a race like the Kozzi.
"He's a lightly-raced horse and won a heat of the Country Championships and wasn't far off in the final so if he was ever going to go in it this is his year.
"Jailbreak is and up-and-comer and I think he's improved immensely since last preparation and his trial last week was super."
READ ALSO:
Exciting up-and-comer Jailbreak has three wins from 13 starts and has city experience already.
After two trial runs, the second an eye-catching win at his home track on the weekend, a 1200m Highway event this weekend came a little too soon but Nestor is hopeful some ticket holders will still be looking for a horse after he runs in the city on September 19.
Racing fans have been able to buy tickets for a slot in the Kosciuszko, the richest race for country-trained horses, and the winning tickets will be draw on September 9.
We had a good run from about this time last year and I think we can have the same sort of run.
- Kody Nestor
A rush to try and secure horses before the on October 17 will follow, and that is something Nestor is keen to be a part of.
But the Kosciuszko isn't the only target for his rapidly growing stables, with the looking Dubbo Gold Cup meeting up first while next year's Country Championships series is already in the back of his mind.
"I think we've got a good team of horses for the next three to six months," Nestor said.
"We've just put up another barn at home and more boxes and we've got some new clientele into the stables and we're picking up a bit more quality.
"We had a good run from about this time last year and I think we can have the same sort of run.
"Things are warming up and there's a better crop of horses."
One of those high-class horses is Cardiff, who Nestor had his eye on for some time before purchasing for $90,000 at an online sale in May.
Previously trained by Group 1 winner Gerald Ryan, Cardiff has had injury worries in the past but has run second in a listed event previously and has a record of two wins from 13 starts.
He's nearing a debut, much to the delight of his new trainer, and could contest next year's Country Championships and be a contender for the 2021 Kosciuszko.
Stablemates Fast Talking and Toulon Brook will contest the $100,000 Gold Cup next weekend and the former is likely to be among the favourites after handy back-to-back placings to start this preparation.
Throw in horses like the promising Eva's Deel who is nearing a return from a spell and Miss Mayfield and Beau Factor, who will have their first career starts at Wellington next Monday, and it's easy to see why Nestor is feeling optimistic about his spring and summer.
Wellington races next Monday while Nestor will also have Little Jerry in action at Coonabarabran's non-TAB meeting on Saturday.