Thurtell, 53, is the defending champion at Wingham. He described his home shoot is a ‘perfect lead-in’ to the games selection trials to be held in Brisbane.

“It’s one of the most competitive shoots in the State,’’ he said.

However, while he will target Wingham, Thurtell's thoughts will be in Brisbane, where he will be in the final 10 marksmen seeking the two places in the Australian team for the Commonwealth Games next year. While the majority of Commonwealth Games events will be on the Gold Coast next April, Thurtell explained the shooting will be conducted at Brisbane, a range where he enjoys competing.

Thurtell moved through to the final selections following the second round held in Brisbane earlier this year. Here 25 hopefuls were whittled down to the top 10.

The two day trials will start on Monday June 19. However, Thurtell explained that finishing in the top two places won’t necessarily guarantee a berth in the Australian squad.

“It will come down to the top five,’’ he said.

“Then the board will decide who they believe is the best chance of winning a medal.’’

He joked that his chances as ‘2 in 10’ to earn a berth.

“I suppose I’m as good a chance as anyone else there,’’ he said.

“I’m shooting pretty well at the moment and I was happy how I went in South Africa earlier this year with an Australian team.’’

Thurtell doesn’t believe nerves will be a factor at the trials.

“I've been shooting for long enough now,’’ he said.

“I’ll just go up there and do my best.’’

However, Thurtell believes Jim Bailey and Jim Corbett have the inside running for selection.

“If I was making the selections I’d pick them,’’ he said.

Bailey is a regular competitor and past winner at the Wingham shoot. However, he’ll skip this weekend as he concentrates of the trials.

While he has considerable international experience, this is Thurtell’s first tilt at the Commonwealth Games side.

“I’m 53 now so this will be my last throw of the dice,’’ he said.

“So I thought I might as well have a go.’’

He said the final selections won’t be announced at the conclusion trials, believing there could be a three or four week hiatus before the board makes the decision.

Thurtell concedes it could be tough wait if he’s still in contention.

Meanwhile a field of 110 is expected to contest this weekend’s Wingham Prize Shoot, starting tomorrow and concluding on Sunday.