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By Greg Prichard

The trainers of (almost) every runner in the Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday have the last say about their chances in the $1 million race.

1. GALLANT STAR (Brett Robb, Dubbo): “I think he’ll be just in behind the leaders from barrier four. Get a bit of cover, save a bit of energy in a race like this. I couldn’t be happier with him, he came back for this prep a better horse and from the way he pulled up after his qualifier win at Coonamble I reckon he’s even better again. This is his best chance to win a big race like this.”

2. SUMO FISH (Wayne Wilkes, Taree): No comments provided.

3. TRIBECA STAR (Matt Dunn, Murwillumbah): “We needed to run him between the qualifier and final, so I took him to the Gold Coast. He never got clear in the straight, but at least we got the run into him so we ticked that box. He’s perfect for his grand final. He doesn’t like really firm tracks and he’s not going to get that, and he doesn’t like heavy, so the soft track really suits him.”

4. CANNY HELL (Kym Davison, Albury): “Fortunately, our luck has changed with the barrier draw for him. It works out perfect this week, barrier two, so hopefully we can get into a position just behind the pace without using up energy and if he’s good enough he’ll be there at the finish. Last start at Albury he was a good second to Asgarda, so that’s pretty good form going into this.”

Trainer Gayna Williams (Pic: Bradley Photos).

5. ZARIZATYCOON (Gayna Williams, Bathurst): “I don’t think he’d settle well in a strange place, so we’re heading down on the morning of the race. He goes well. He hasn’t had many starts, so he’s relatively inexperienced going into a tough race and it’ll be a big ask against seasoned horses, but he’s fit and well and ready to go and he’s a competitor. He can put himself into the race.”

6. TICKLEBELLY (Scott Collings, Goulburn): “She only just missed out in the qualifier and then she fought them off to win the wild card and I was delighted with the way she did that. I’m happy with her going into the race. Pierre (Boudvillain, the jockey) knows her well, she’s drawn OK in eight and she’s good in all conditions, so we’re looking forward to it.”

7. KNOW THYSELF (Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich, Scone): “Aaron (Bullock) says he can ride him at 56.5 (half a kilogram over), which we’re rapt with. He’s got a big opinion of the horse and he’s keen to get down to that weight, which he hasn’t ridden at for a few years. We would’ve liked the rain to stick around, but the big track will suit him and we’re very happy with his condition.”

8. FUKUBANA (Matt Dunn, Murwillumbah): “I ran him between the qualifier and the final, but over 1200 metres, to keep him sharp. He got back and ran home well and through the line he was great. He looks fantastic, like my other one. Barrier 16 is obviously not ideal, but if he has to go back I won’t be concerned as long as there’s a good tempo, because he’s got a very good turn of foot.”

9. LISZTOMANIA (Todd Payne, Inverell): “He’s fantastic, couldn’t be happier with him. We got to Sydney on Thursday and we’ve got the horse settled in at Les Bridge’s stable at Randwick. He goes good fresh, so the four weeks between runs is perfect for him. I think we’ve drawn a good gate for him (six). He’ll be midfield or a bit worse and hopefully get a clear run home from there.”

10. BURRANDANA (Peter J Morgan, Wagga Wagga): “We’re very happy with the horse, he’s very bouncy and very well. We wanted to give him another run between the qualifier and the final and we went to Albury, but unfortunately it was very wet and he couldn’t handle the (Heavy 9) going at all. It was still good to get the run into him though. The barrier (15) is difficult, but we’ll see how we go.”

11. DON STEFANO (Dean Mirfin, Bathurst): “He’s a staying type of horse that I’m just trying to keep nice and fresh for the shorter distance, so I didn’t do much with him going into the qualifier and it’s been the same since. Just a couple of short, sharp sprints and swim him a lot, walk him a lot and he’s bouncing out of his skin and ready to go, so I’m looking forward to it.”

12. ROUGE MOULIN (Brett Robb, Dubbo): “He’s improved out of sight since he finished second to Gallant Star at Coonamble. Very happy with him, his work going into the final is spot-on. I saw he’s $81 - I don’t think he should be that price on the way he’s come on. Obviously Gallant Star is clearly my top seed, but I’m happy to be taking this horse to Sydney as well.”

Trainer Keith Dryden (Pic: Bradley Photos)

13. SUNCHYME (Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden, Canberra): “She worked the joint down on Monday on the course proper and she’s been jumping out of her skin ever since, so I’m very happy with her. I’m disappointed with the barrier (14), but I’ll leave it to Tommy (Berry) to ride his own race once they jump. If it works out OK, great. If not, we’ll just make sure we have a good day out.”

14. INTERVARSITY (Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich, Scone): “She’s a mare we’ve had a big opinion of for a long time. She’s a free-rolling type and from barrier five, with Damian Lane on top who’s been riding super, she should get into a lovely rhythm and be maybe second pair back. She might even lead if there’s not too much pressure. Either way, she should be in it for a very long way.”

15. SASS ‘N’ CHEEK (Pat Murphy, Goulburn): “We aimed towards this race since she won a TAB Highway at Rosehill in November and it’s all gone really well. She did her last bit of work on Wednesday on the course proper on a great surface and her work was terrific, so I’m very excited. I’ve got Zac Purton riding. We’re very good friends from way back and it’s great to have him on-board.”

16. MCKEON (Joseph Burges, Tuncurry): “She’s in good order. She’ll be at 100-1 or more in that field, but roughies have won it before. We needed to give her a run because of the long gap between the qualifier and final and she had no luck in that race at Newcastle. She’ll be fine in the soft range at Randwick and from barrier one we’ll punch out and aim to be three or four pairs back.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 1 of The Star Championships at Randwick