Leeton trainer Shane Hillier is flying the flag for the Riverina in the Albury Pacers Cup on Saturday night.
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Medal Of Honour is the local hope in the race with most of the runners for the $14,790 feature coming from Victoria.
Coming off a win at the track last time out, Hillier is pleased with the nine-year-old’s preparation for the race.
However, he expects it will be an uphill battle after drawing barrier nine.
“He’s in good order but off the second line around Albury he’s going to find it hard to get into the race at some stage,” Hillier said.
“I know ability-wise he is up to them, and they don’t scare me ability-wise, but the barrier draw around Albury is always tough.”
Medal Of Honour returned to winnings ways in his first run for the Hillier stable a fortnight ago.
It was his first win since April after doing most of his recent racing at Menangle.
The drop in grade was definitely appreciated.
“He was racing a lot harder opposition at Menangle week in and week out,” Hillier said. “It was a big class drop for him.”
Medal Of Honour is also engaged in the Wagga Pacers Cup prelude on Tuesday night.
The race is restricted to horses from the region with the first two exempt from the ballot for the $30,000 feature next month.
Medal Of Honour was sent to Hillier for a crack at the region’s cups.
“He’ll go around as that is why the horse was sent to me early so he’s eligible for all these cup races,” Hillier said.
“The bloke that owns him, Scott McDonald, has owned quite a few with me over the years.
“He is in those band races at Menangle and getting hard to place so that is why he came down here for a while to try and chase the country cups circuit.”
Hillier rated Josh Aiken’s Audi Hare as the one to beat.
Hillier has four other runners on the card.
He rates Eastbro Lucky one of his better chances in the Commercial Club Golf Resort (2170m).
She won four starts back and Hillier is hoping to take advantage of drawing barrier three.
“If she can lead she should win, but she needs to lead,” he said.
“Slice Of Life is probably the main danger in that one.”
The Victorian visitor will start in barrier two.
He also rates Happy Schnapps a good each-way chance from barrier one in the Commercial Club TAB Pace (2170m).
“It’s the best draw he’s had in quite a long time,” Hillier said.
