A number of trainers are using the Taree Gold Cup on August 23 Benchmark 64 Handicap over 2000m and the Taree Cup Weekend 21 & 23 Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1600m as trials for the major 2000 race.

One of them is Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Dodson with four-year-old mare Just Atina, to be ridden by in-form jockey Matt Bennett, which is starting at Taree in preference to a race on the Gold Coast at the weekend.

The mare enjoyed a purple patch of wins last campaign, one of them scoring at the Taree track over 2000m, it being one of two wins from three tries at the distance.

Dodson said Just Atina had been bothered with muscle enzyme problems but he had "kept them under control this campaign.

"I will throw my hat in the ring as far as a start for her in the Taree Cup if she progresses well," he said.

Dodson was very happy with her grinding fourth behind Port Macquarie's betting plunge galloper New Divide over 1700m at Grafton on July 8.

"She did it tough in being three-wide most of the way and the Taree race is very suitable at this stage,'' he said.

"I can then look at starting her at Coffs Harbour (over 2300m on August 5) to have her ready for the Taree Cup."

The form around six-year-old Wyong gelding Axian Crown, trained by Stan Thomas, it winning over 2125 at Cessnock on July 20, is good and is a choice ride for Paul King from two barrier.

Scone trainer Rodney Northam nominated two gallopers for this race, five-year-old gelding He's Dreamin', it not accepting as it was racing at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and four-year-old gelding Space Invader to be ridden by Hall Of Fame jockey Robert Thompson.

Its form from a spell is nothing to write home about, beaten 11.6 lengths over 1400m at Scone on July 17, but that was short of its best,the track was heavy and three of its five wins from 20 starts have been on good ground, the early rating for the Taree track.

Broadmeadow trainer Paul Perry also nominated two for the event but has accepted with The Explorer, its chances not enhanced by a wide barrier.

The four-year-old gelding is capable of improving on its eighth and ninth at Rosehill and Warwick Farm respectively, both over 1400m, the latter to Forget on July 1.

It has had four wins and 10 placings from 31 starts to stamp its claims.

Scone trainer Sean Thomas will be making a rare visit to Taree for Friday's race meeting and could have a real chance with seven-year-old gelding Modest Hero, a winner at Wellington over 2400m before a handy fourth to Mr Steal over 2200 at Warwick Farm on July 1.

Best of the locals could be last start emphatic winner over 1600m here, three-year-old gelding Mickey Can Do, trained by Bindi Cheers and improving Kempsey galloper Art Delago, trained by Tony Green.

Three trainers looking ahead at the Taree Cup who have their charges in the 1600m race are Taree trainer Greg Drury with Parchoise, Kempsey trainer Barry Ratcliff with Malleable and Taree mentor Pablo Shultz with Marmaduke's Lady.

Parchoise never left the fence for a good win at Cessnock, Malleable won over 1450m at Kempsey and Marmaduke's Lady has won three of her past seven starts and not been far away in between.

"My horse has won over 1710m at Grafton and is shaping up well after a lot of consistent runs," Ratcliff.

Drury is expecting a big run from Parchoise which will then tackle the Taree Cup Prelude over 1600m on August 11 in the hope of winning to get a free ride into the cup.

Shutlz said his mare was "crying out" for 1600m.

"I will see how she goes and all going well she will go to the Prelude and maybe the Taree Cup," he said.

"I like to space her runs as she doesn't back up good in races close to one another."

Doug Ryan's selections:

Race 1: Portatorio 1, Magicaz 2, Art Attack 3.

Race 2: Fox Creek 1, Onemoreamore 2, Banknote Beau 3.

Race 3: Plain 'N' Simple 1, Rushall 2, Torquay 3.

Race 4: Vargo 1, Tainted Love 2, Akamin 3.

Race 5: Just Atina 1, Axian Crown 2, Modest Hero 3.

Race 6: Spellrocker 1, Fun With Indy 2, Marmaduke's Lady 3.

Race 7: No Equal 1, Galaxy Dane 2, Lunar De Hero 3.

Race 8: Naoko 1, Abbalac 2, Element Of Luck 3.