Gundagai trainer David Blundell is hoping the trip to Nowra tomorrow is worth the effort with his dual representatives in the Kel Campbell Fuel Haulage Class 2 (1600m).
Itsa Fait Accompli was an impressive last start winner at Wagga which followed a close third in the Wagga Guineas.
He will also start last start Sydney Saturday placegetter Bolshoi Devoushka.
The galloper drops in weight on recent starts to 55 kilograms.
Meanwhile, Warwick farm trainer Amanda Turner has reservations about starting promising galloper Art Of Excellence on a heavy track.
Turner said the track would need to improve from its present heavy 9 rating for the gelding to start in the last of seven races – the McDonalds Shoalhaven Benchmark 65 (1200m).
Fine weather is forecast between now and then but heavy rain in recent times will ensure the track is still affected.
“It’s hard with the weight he has (61.5 kilograms) on a heavy track first-up,” she said.
“He is ready to race and has done a lot of work, but I don’t want to flatten him fresh with that weight.
“If the track improved I would think about starting him and will make a decision in the morning.” Art Of Excellence has won two and finished second once in three starts at Nowra and is in contention for horse of the year honours at the track.
Raced by Turner and her training partner, Mauro Poletti, Art Of Excellence hasn’t raced since winning at Nowra in late February.
The four-year-old opposes some in-form and race fit sprinters including Nights On Fire, Janis, Summit Breath and Where’s Snippy.
The track condition will be the determining factor, according to Turner.
“He has won on a slow track, but a heavy track is different thing,” she conceded.
If Art of Excellence is withdrawn, the stable will be left with Magic Dust who will contest the Kinghorn Motor Group Benchmark 55 (1400m). Magic Dust is highly favoured to break through after seconds at her past two starts at Nowra.
The mare will also have the services of jockey Peter Wells.
View the fields, form and race replays for tomorrow's Nowra meeting here.