Last time out Roberts picked up a win in the second heat held at Dubbo, back in 2019, with long-odds chance Annabel Keeping, but this time, her attempt at a win at home is drawing an even longer bow.

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"I'm not sure he's got much hope at all," Roberts says of her chance in the second heat, Mow Keeping.

While Keeping's no stranger to a win, having taken out victories in Wentworth Park and Dubbo over the same lengths the heat will be contested at in recent months, Roberts is just one of many trainers who's felt the bite of COVID as lockdown protocols claim down on the ability to train and race with any regularity.

"He's a bit out of his depth in this race, but in saying that, he tries hard and there are a bit fewer nominations for the race this time, so he was a good choice to stick in," Roberts said.

"You've got to be in to have a crack at it."

Keeping may get a boost from the fact that two of the more likely contenders, from Dennis Barnes' kennels have been pulled from the slate following muscle injuries, with only Nangar Silk expected to make it to the event on Friday.

"It's been very touch and go all over," Roberts said.

"The class of dogs in the race will take a bit of a hit just because Victoria and Queensland can't travel to come here and many won't send their dogs to other trainers."

"But at the end of the day, you never know, there's that dog from Londonderry, Flying Ricciardo, he's in with a huge chance now."

Roberts is still confident that the night won't go to the dogs, with her expecting a night of racing that befits the event no matter what.

"It'll be a good evening for all, but everyone in the regional heats wants their dogs in there to have a crack, it's a bit of a prestige thing to win a heat in the Chase," Roberts said.

The Million Dollar Chase Heats in Dubbo will run on Friday, September 18's evening.