But after seeing Patrick May exceed expectations last time the small team from Gilgandra have every right to have some lofty ambitions.

The five-year-old gelding returns from a spell on Saturday and will contest the Collie Cup at Gilgandra in the first step towards what Harland and his family hopes is a spot in the $1.3 million Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick on October 16.

Patrick May is considered "the country battler" and it's easy to see why.

READ ALSO:

- No return home but Pay's still feeling good about Shy Guy's chances

- 'Central West rugby is a community': All clubs in the same boat as wait goes on

- Apex Oval thrashing led to a change in mindset for Rabbitohs

Roughly every second day Harland and his daughter, Gai Burgers, make the trip across to Dubbo to work their small team of horses with jockey Daniel Stanley.

Even they have been surprised by Patrick May's progress and the slightly built galloper returns to the track this weekend with a record of six wins and five placings in 20 starts.

He won the Satellite sprint feature at Parkes in May while prior to that he ran a close fifth in the Country Championships Qualifier at Coonamble.

"He definitely came as a surprise package. He's a little horse but what he gives up in size he certainly makes up for in heart," Burgers said, before speaking about the Kosciuszko.

"We only have three horses so it's a huge buzz, especially for Dad. He's 80 soon and Patrick May is the best horse we've had. We've had good ones but he's just phenomenal."

Patrick May hasn't raced since finishing seventh in Aberdeen Cup at Muswellbrook on June 6.

There's been no trial in the lead-up to Saturday's Collie Cup, where Jake Pracey-Holmes will take the ride from gate 12, but a strong showing is still expected in the 1280m feature.

A trip to Sydney in the coming weeks is also on the cards as Patrick May looks to catch the eye of potential slot winners and boost his chances of earning a spot in the Kosciuszko.

"He's come back in awesome shape," Burgers said.

"His trackwork rider, Daniel Stanley, just loves and adores him and reckons he's ready to roll.

"There's good horses in it ... but he'll always gibe his best and he's never been one to give a lame performance. I hope he wins."

One of the good horses Burgers was referring to is the Dar Lunn-trained Classy Rebel.

Classy Rebel has been in tremendous form this preparation and has five wins and two placings in nine starts.

Clayton Gallagher will again ride Classy Rebel in Saturday's cup while last start winner Vertical, trained at Moree by John Bourke, is another contender.

As always, Patrick May is set to get forward early and is a likely leader while Classy Rebel also likes set the pace.

The first of seven races at Gilgandra jumps at 12.46pm on Saturday and the cup is sixth on the card at 4.01pm.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: