Cardiff to debut for Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor

The Dubbo trainer's not one to get too carried away but even he can't help but get a bit excited when thinking about what his four-year-old gelding Cardiff might be capable of.

A former $600,000 yearling who was initially with leading Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan, Cardiff arrived at Dubbo last year and it's been a long wait for his first start for the Nestor team.

His debut for his new stables arrives on Friday night as he'll go around in the third heat of The Agency Real Estate Handicap Sprint Series (1100m) at Canterbury.

"He's a magnificent sort of horse," Nestor said.

"That's why they paid a fair bit for him when he was a yearling. I think he's in a good place and a good frame of mind and I'm excited.

"I don't normally get too wound up but I'm interested to see what he can do."

READ ALSO:

- Dubbo Swimtech's young stars show their quality on the regional stage

- Young Fishies have chance to develop and push first grade case

- Stanley connection shines again in The Long Run's latest win

Cardiff has two wins and two placings from 13 career starts and while he never quite hit his potential under Ryan, Nestor has no doubt he's still more than capable of reaching a high level.

The Country Championships this year is a real possibility for the Snitzel X Cariad gelding but trips to Sydney might also become a regular occurrence for Nestor and his team.

"He's a city grade horse, hopefully," the trainer said, adding Cardiff is the best horse he's worked with.

"Ability wise, for sure. Not many can run around the track in his times in the morning.

"If he can fulfil his potential who knows where we'll go."

Cardiff hasn't raced since running ninth at Kensington in May of last year but has shown his promise in back-to-back trials wins recently.

A little more was needed after the first trial win at Wellington in December but Nestor was pleased after the second victory at Orange on January 8.

The trainer feels Cardiff heads to the city at "about 85-90 per cent" but he's quietly confident of a good showing on Friday night.

A top two finish at Canterbury would result in passage through to the final, which will be run at the same track on February 12.

James Innes Jnr, who rode Cardiff previously when he was in Ryan's stables, has the ride on Friday night.

Cardiff will go from gate five and was on the second line of betting at $4.50 on Thursday morning.

Cardiff's debut is part of an exciting time for Nestor, with preparation really beginning now for the region's trainers ahead of the 2021 Country Championships series.

There has been some conjecture in recent weeks surrounding the eligibility of horses for the series after Racing NSW announced any potential competitor had to be in a country stable by May 1 of last year to take part.

It left many trainers and owners, Nestor and some of his included, unable to take part given they had horses arrive after that date.

But calls for change were heard and Racing NSW adjusted to cut-off date to July 1.

It's a green light for Nestor who now has Cardiff, Activation, Jailbreak, One Pound, and Eva's Deel targeting the $150,000 western qualifier at Coonamble on March 14.

"Last year was our first crack at the Country Championships and we had a bit of success," Nestor said, having seen Sneak Preview and Fast Talking run one-two in the western heat.

"It's a really good concept ... I start a program about five or six months out and it's only six or seven weeks out now so it's getting pretty exciting."