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By Tony Megahey

The upcoming $2 million The Kosciuszko is all consuming for regional trainers and aside, for the hordes of James McDonald disciples, Saturday’s TAB Highway at Royal Randwick offers a mouth-watering scenario.

Tamworth’s unbeaten three-race winner She’s Exotic ($3.10 on TAB), airborne and aimed at regional racing’s richest, saw McDonald booked weeks ago to ride off a hot home trial.

And of course, his phenomenal streak continued with four winners at Canterbury Park on Wednesday for Chris Waller.

She's Exotic (Braith Nock) bolts in on debut at Gunnedah. Image by Bradley Photographers

Add a streak of Group and Listed wins previously means there’s the J-Mac “tax” at $3.10 second favourite for a rise in grade to a Class 3, $120,000, 1000m flyer.

McDonald is already confirmed to ride The Kosciuszko hot favourite Front Page as regular rider Tyler Schiller, last season’s winner, is riding Fawkner Park in the Caulfield Cup on the corresponding raceday.

With only three slot holders yet to lock-in for The Kosciuszko on October 19, young Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan retains realistic hopes with impeccable form, speed, a cosy barrier five and the champion rider.

“We booked through his agent weeks back after a super trial at home - it’s up to the mare now, we’ve always had a high opinion and if she keeps progressing the way she is, we might just sneak into The Kosciuszko," offered Morgan.

The trainer is a multiple Highway winner and having a fantastic training year.

“It was so important we drew inside, first trip away and inexperienced but she’s a talent.

“Off those early wins unextended, the trial and in his weight range, if we happen to get in, she’ll get 1200m no concerns.”

The steep class rise is the concern for any still remotely hopeful of a Kosciuszko slot.

A grade three country is a horizon away from the form of Front Page and other Listed sprinters. But beware the unbeaten.

She’s Exotic has won her three races by a combined total of 10 lengths and in brilliant times.

However, Cody understands anything less than an impressive showing has little hope of attracting the remaining three slot holders.

Compared to the form and The Kosciuszko TAB favourite Front Page ($2.80) with successive wins in the prestige feature, Far Too Easy, Boom Torque and At Witz End also with Listed form and already confirmed.

On Saturday there’s ample winning Highway form and far more experience opposing She’s Exotic.

Team Messara, Danny Williams, Brett Cavanough and Danielle Seib all with proven runners and in-form.

However, She’s Exotic, by Pride of Dubai from Miss Quaintly, a More than Ready mare has the upside, breeding and racing pattern.

She has led and also sat on pace and closed intently to win unextended and in a below capacity field, she’ll likely lead or be close enough to it.

But She's Exotic has a decent pull in the weights against the higher raters who might have reached their limits.

Morgan's stablemate Acotango ($41) with a claim for Molly Burke is long odds off a Moree placing but ran well in a Highway last prep.

Significantly, Danny Williams has scratched topweight Atmospheric Rock while stablemate Kreon is the $2.90 favourite off a big win at Goulburn in far lesser grade but was unplaced in a previous Highway.

Headquarters is a Good 4 in fine weather for a couple of Group 2 races and also two Group 3 events on the program.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here