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By Greg Prichard

Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly justifiably points to Participator’s only previous start in a TAB Highway event as reason to believe in the lightly-raced four-year-old’s ability to win at Randwick on Saturday.

Participator, to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, was at $3.70 on TAB Fixed Odds on Friday and pressing for favouritism in the Class 2 TAB Highway Handicap over 1100m. The only horse ahead of him in the betting is the Danny Williams-trained Bandi’s Boy, at $3.60.

At his most recent start – and just his third overall – Participator was only beaten 0.9 of a length when fourth in a Class 3 TAB Highway over 1200m at Randwick on February 5.

Trainer Tim Donnelly

“The first two home in that race (Testator Silens and Anethole) went on to win Country Championships qualifiers, so it ended up a pretty strong form race,” Donnelly said.

“He’s back to Class 2 on Saturday so he’s got the weight, but he certainly hasn’t gone backwards. He’s had a barrier trial and a jump out and he’s a clean-winded horse. He’s ready to be very competitive.”

Making the form out of that February race even more impressive is the fact the third placegetter – Golden Point – won a Class 3 TAB Highway over 1400m at Randwick at his next start.

Participator drew barrier 16 in Saturday’s race but, in reality, that’s not nearly as bad as it looks because there are six emergencies and if they all come out he will start from 11 in a 14-horse field.

“He’s never run over 1100m before. All of his races have been over 1200m,” Donnelly said.

“There will be speed in the race, but he’s always raced handy so while I think he’ll be off the speed from the draw I don’t think he’ll be way back.

“I’m not too worried about the barrier. Hugh can sort that out.”

Participator was on the Country Championships trail himself in the autumn himself until a cracked hoof prevented Donnelly from running him in a qualifier.

The Country Championships remains a long-term goal for next autumn, but if Participator can win on Saturday he could start setting himself up to attract interest from the eventual slot-holders for the $2 million The Kosciuszko over 1200m at Randwick on October 15.

Donnelly plans to give him another run in two weeks. The slot draw for members of the public who invest in $5 sweepstakes tickets will be conducted on September 9.

“I’m not getting carried away, but if he happened to win both races then the timing would be good with the draw a few days later,” Donnelly said.

“That might put him in the forefront of a few people’s minds.

“If he had a record that said five starts for four wins that would look pretty good. There’s probably been lesser horses than that get in the race previously. But he’s got to do something like that first.”

Participator was a $51 chance for The Kosciuszko on TAB Fixed Odds at the start of this week, but his quote has since been halved to $26.

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