Mick Mulholland is expecting a strong showing from Old Harbour in the $500,000 Country Championships Final and a "testing blow-out" on Tuesday is set to help make that happen.
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The Mulholland team is still buzzing after Old Harbour won the $150,000 Central Districts Country Championships Qualifier at Mudgee on March 28.
But it was straight back to work for the Wellington trainer following that and it was tricky to find another run for his heat winner before the April 3 final.
He'll make the trip to Hawkesbury on Tuesday, where Old Harbour will have a tune-up in the Independent Liquor Group Benchmark 68 Handicap (1300m).
"It's just to keep fit," Mulholland said.
"If we he wins, he wins but if he doesn't it's no dramas. As long as he gets through and back home in one piece."
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Old Harbour produced a gutsy run home to take out the Mudgee heat and Mulholland knew the five-year-old was firmly in the mix that day.
"I knew he'd be in the first five," Mulholland said, before looking at the final.
"He'll be fitter than he was at Mudgee. He'll be a bit tougher and I think he'll be in the first five there, as well."
Old Harbour will be ridden by Chad Lever on Tuesday and will jump from barrier 10 with 60.5kg on his back.
"He's got 60-odd kilos but it will be a good testing blow-out," Mulholland said.
Old Harbour was a $26 chance for the Country Championships Final on Monday and Mulholland considers the $500,000 event an open affair with no dominant contender emerging from the heats up to this point.
The Wellington trainer has the Danny Williams-trained Leg Work ($8) and Cameron Crockett's Pure Fuego ($11) as the ones to beat at this stage but Mulholland remains quietly confident about his qualifier's hopes ahead of what will be his first time racing at Royal Randwick.
Mulholland's home track will be closed next week as Wellington ensures all is in order for the annual Wellington Boot carnival but Old Harbour could head to Dubbo or Mudgee for a gallop to keep him in shape ahead of the final.
Colville House will also race at Hawkesbury on Tuesday in his first start for Mulholland.
The four-year-old gelding has previously been trained by Danny O'Brien and Shane Fliedner and has no wins from seven starts.
Racing starts 1.15pm.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
