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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Kim Waugh says a valuable stakes win at Randwick on Saturday and an invite into a $2m race would be just reward for her talented mare Great News.

Trainer Kim Waugh (Pic: Bradley Photos).

It’s fair to say the five-year-old was on the wrong end of the luck spectrum in her placings in the Toy Show and Mona Lisa to start her campaign but she did appear to have her chance in the Tibbie at Newcastle.

Waugh said that’s a fair assessment but heading into the Group 3 $200,000 The Nivison (1200m) she warns there was one circumstance in that race which has been overlooked so it wouldn’t be wise to be too hard on her.

“I thought she went well, (Ashley Morgan) rode her beautifully,’’ she said.

“She had a lovely run in the race but I just think they walked, they went very slow and just sprinted home.

“On face value it did look a bit disappointing but when you look at the times they ran and what they sprinted home in - first, second and third finished in that order in the run. At 1400m that can happen but 1200m races are normally pretty genuine.”

Tommy Berry rides Great News, $5 favourite with TAB on Thursday, in The Nivison and Waugh said if that genuine tempo materialises she can be confident about the mare’s chances.

With three horses already announced to run in the $2m The Invitation (1400m) on October 23, Waugh hopes a win will be enough to attract attention for a spot in the inaugural running of the fillies and mares feature.

“I think she should have won first-up and Wyong was another shocker, she had a tough run wide all the way and hit the front and got grabbed late,’’ she said.

“If she can have a bit of luck she can be right in the finish.

“I think she’s been really consistent, her last three runs she’s either run second or third in the nice mares races. If she can win she’d definitely have to be in the running (for an invitation).”

Waugh said Great News enjoyed a solid gallop last Friday and having drawn well in five she’ll leave it to Berry to work it out when she leaves the gates.

Up and coming stablemate Different Strokes completes his preparation for the $700,000 Four Pillars later this month in Saturday’s Midway Handicap (1400m).

The four-year-old has already earned a place in the new race on Golden Eagle day and drops 3kg after an easy win at Wyong on September 21.

Great News runs third at Newcastle on September 17

“This is his first race preparation but he’s had a couple of major setbacks along the way,’’ she said.

“He had to have an eye operation and a few other things. I’ve always had a big opinion of him and it’s nice to get him to the races.

“I’m really happy with him. He’s drawn nine so we’ll have work out where he lands but he’s going great.”

The gelding is a $9 chance in TAB’s Four Pillars market behind stablemate Conrad ($7) and Waugh said the latter will have his major lead up race at Kembla Grange next Thursday.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting