He wants to erase the memory of his $2.20 favourite Ocean Grand finishing second last in last year’s qualifier by having its stablemate, five-year-old Ever So Natural, going one better this time after a flashing second to Taree filly Another Valley,trained by Bob Milligan.

The runner-up was then a most unlucky third in the $400,000 Country Final at The Championships, Another Valley finishing fourth.

“The winner (Clearly Innocent) had all the luck and my horse had to make a long run from the back…a great run under the circumstances,” Bashford said.

The trainer believes Ever So Natural has developed into one of the best racehorses he has trained and has done a treat since lumping 61.5kgs to score by just under a length over 1208m at Port Macquarie, beating many of Sunday’s rivals, on February 11.

He has engaged ace Sydney jockey Glyn Schofield to continue his quest.

“My horse has had a better preparation than last year, keeping him fresh and not overly doing it.”

Bashford’s biggest hurdle at Taree Wingham Race Club’s record $370,000 “Showcase” TAB meeting at Bushland Drive Raceccourse could be Taree four-year-old mare Shotgun Roulette which trainer Wayne Wilkes reckons is ready to outgun the opposition.

 “There is not much between the two (his and Bashford’s) and the result might depend on which horse gets the best run,” Wilkes said.

He certainly means business and has engaged former Wingham, international and now Sydney top jockey Corey Brown to ride his mare.

“She had a track gallop on Tuesday and is in great fettle…she is jumping out of her skin.”

Wilkes was impressed with the mare’s solid win in the $70,000 Arrowfield Queen Of The North over 1200m on February 17, her first run from a spell and he has kept her fresh since as she races best that way.

Race times can be misleading sometimes but Ever So Natural over 1208m ran about the same time as Shotgun Roulette over 1200m at Port whereas the gelding drops 4kgs but the mare rises 1kg with Brown replacing the claiming apprentice Chloe Baker who rode her exceptionally last start.

To promote Shotgun Roulette’s form, Tamworth trainer Sue Grills’ galloper Fickle Folly was sixth in the Queen Of The North and then came from a wide barrier to lead most of the way to win the TAB Highway Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill last Saturday.

Three-year-old Port Macquarie colt Cogliere, trained by Marc Quinn, also won a Highway race over 1400m in Sydney before its eighth behind Ever So Natural at Port on February 11.

Quinn had the colt scoped and blood tested after the last run and nothing was found amiss.

After studying the run, he said there were three negatives accounting for the out of character run.

“The track was shifty, he was back in distance and up in class.”

Quinn gave Cogliere a track gallop with smart Coffs Harbour sprinter Plateau Gold between races at the Coffs meeting on Monday and was happy that his colt was able to work on “fresh grass”.

Former Port and now top Sydney apprentice Andrew Adkins renews his association with his former master on Cogliere which should be strong on the line.

Milligan, the trainer of last year’s winner of the qualifier, hasn’t given up on repeating the dose and has four-year-old mare Capital Magic (emergency) and three-year-old Valbeata ticking along nicely.

Capital Magic has won here and at Port and last start was doing its best work when second to Ever So Natural whereas Valbeata has won two of its past four starts.

Port trainer Jenny Graham has three runners Portatorio, She’s Invincible and Gold Torque all on the improve.

Four-year-old gelding Portatorio nearly died about six months ago and will be reunited with Hall Of Fame jockey Robert Thompson who won on the galloper early in its then promising career.

She believes She’s Invincible (jockey Andrew Gibbons) is fit and in good form whereas Gold Torque (Chad Lever) deserves better luck after placing eight times at its past nine runs.

Leading Port trainer Neil Godbolt is hoping for improved runs with prolific winner last campaign, four-year-old gelding Hippy High Ho, and three-year-old filly Artova which won four races as a youngster and showed a glimpse of form with a second to seasoned Not Doubtful at Tuncurry last Saturday.

Another Port trainer, John Sprague, leans towards mare Jemily over mare Bold Beginning as his best chance. 

Track specialist, three-year-old gelding Dubai Sights with two wins and a second from three starts, was touted by Taree trainer Matthew Robinson as the best horse he has trained.

It had a minor setback with blood issues late last year but has won two races since from its past three starts.

Doug Ryan’s selection:

Race 1: Rokda Kasba 1, Noble Dragon 2, Alot Like Home 3.

Race 2: Powercraft 1, Arjen 2, Southern Delight 3.

Race 3: The Free World 1, Jester Lionheart 2, Dubrub 3.

Race 4: Painted Lady 1, Overgrown 2, On My Terms 3.

Race 5: Tawfiq Boy 1, Grammar School 2, Emperor of Oz 3.

Race 6: Torquay 1, Slippery Moss 2, Milk ‘N’ Brandy 3.

Race 7: Ever So Natural 1, Shotgun Roulette 2,  Cogliere 3.

Race 8: Oakfield Sunrise 1, Capital Magic 2, Gadfly 3.