They are five-year-old gelding Ever So Natural, which is heading towards next year’s $400,000 Country Final of The Championships at Royal Randwick and to be a mother, seven-year-old Shazza’s Bubbles.

Ever So Natural’s trainer Cliff Bashford said this race was to be the gelding’s last before another pursuit for glory at The Championships (third in final in April) whereas trainer Ross Stitt said Shazza’s Bubbles would “have one or two” more races before a date with Testa Rossa.

Both trainers are keen for their charges to go out on a winning note and feel they are ready to do so. Ever So Natural should be the fitter of the two after three races in Sydney since the Country Final whereas the mare hasn’t raced since May 13, but did win a barrier trial by five lengths at Taree’s last meeting on August 9.

Bashford said: “This is my horse’s last run as he will be set again for The Championships.

“I hope he will have better luck than last Saturday at Rosehill (sixth, beaten four lengths, behind We’re Sure).

“He has pulled up well and the 1400m of his home track should suit.”

Shazza’s Bubbles won the $25,000 Guyra Cup at Armidale on February 27 and its last run was eighth in the $60,600 Country Cup over 1400m at Scone.

“She normally races well fresh (two wins from four campaigns and has won four races at the track, five at the distance) and should be able to take advantage of her one barrier…she’s very well,” Stitt said.

Muswellbrook six-year-old gelding Pippi’s Pride, trained by Stephen Gleeson, comes into the race after an eighth (beaten 5.8 lengths) on a soft seven track behind Mercurian over 1250m at Canterbury on July 27 and has trained on well since.

“He is a good honest horse and Peter Graham has won on him before,’’ Gleeson said

“I think he is a country cups horse and probably needed that run in town.

“The key to him is that he needs a good track to do his best, he is looking for 1400m and he should be in the front mix early.”

And there is nothing wrong with the city form of Wyong eight-year-old gelding No Bad Blood with a fourth and fifth at Rosehill and a last start fourth behind Chetwood over 1250m in the heavy at Canterbury on August 10.

Five-year-old Taree gelding Chalcedony, trained by Matthew Robinson, came back to form at Taree’s last meeting and only has to  repeat that effort from its wide barrier to be in the mix. It will be having its 11^th start at the track where it has recorded three wins and two seconds.

Taree four-year-old mare Another Valley, trained by Bob Milligan, fourth in the Country Final in April, has had two lasts at Kempsey and Grafton since resuming but since has had five weeks to recapture her old form.

Cessnock mare Annandale Lass has won twice here before for trainer Graham Payne and Gosford gelding Smarty Pants, trained by Carmen Murname has also won twice here and can improve after having a conditioning barrier trial on August 1.

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