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By Tony Megahey

One of the hottest prospects in regional racing, Todd Smart’s Inglis 2YO Challenge winner Love Shuck, trialling brilliantly, is nominated for a highly anticipated return at either Sunday’s Nowra TAB meeting or at the Wagga Wagga TAB on Saturday.

A final decision is yet to be made.

However, at Goulburn a close up third in as hot a trial as you’d find behind Mogo Magic and Front Page guarantees Love Shuck as one of the safest bets anywhere over the huge weekend of racing.

Love Shuck (Aaron Bullock; black & gold colours) scores at Scone. Image by Bradley Photographers

Of course Front Page ($5.50 on TAB), a Group 3 winner at Flemington, won last year’s The Kosciuszko and is second favourite for the big race on Saturday.

While unbeaten flyer Mogo Magic is third elect at $9 behind Group 3 winner Opal Ridge ($2.60).

“He’s come back just super, stronger and more mature three-year-old, lovely trials, but as we speak no confirmation, I can only say 50-50,” explained Todd on Love Shuck.

“I’ve also accepted in the Nowra race with Big Impact, but only one of them will run. “We’ll finalise early Saturday.”

Love Shuck (TAB's $2 favourite for Nowra) and dual winner Big Impact ($14) are entered in the $27,000 CKB Civil, Mollymook Cup (1200m) at a traditional meeting for the popular Shoalhaven Club (Nowra).

Todd’s confidence in the Scone Listed winner is confirmed big time by Goulburn trials this month and last.

Love Shuck was unextended beaten less than a length in fast time by Mogo Magic and Front Page. Of course neither were they.

Love Shuck hasn’t raced since winning the $204,900 Inglis Challenge at Scone, surviving a protest in late May.

Major players at Nowra, typically will be Bjorn Baker, Gary Portelli and Matthew Dale, represented in most races.

Dale, the new trainer of Front Page, has strong prospects in respective races with Kenker ($3.50), a dual maiden placegetter fitter for recent racing and Alenia ($5.50) with Grafton placings last preparation.

At present Nowra is a Soft 5 in hot weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Nowra here