Just two weeks back, Stubbs floated Monday's Bankstown Sports Club Forbes Cup aspirant Squidensquizz a hop-skip-and-a-jump (a "mere" 170 kilometres) to Narrandera and returned home with the cup in hand, adding $16,800 to connections' coffers.

The trek to Forbes is significantly more arduous - a 740-kilometre round trip - yet the stars seemingly align for trainer, connections and apprentice Josh Richards alike.

Richards has been legged aboard Squidensquizz five times, with a Corowa win over 1600 metres preceding a tactical perfect navigation at Narrandera - also at the metric mile.

At Narrandera, Richards settled the eight-year-old third and, extricating at the top of the straight, he extended away to score by 1 1/2 lengths.

While most best performed on affected going, the Forbes track rating will be in the "good" range - little variance to the conditions Squidensquizz encountered at Narrandera.

With little pace drawn to his inside, Richards should have no trouble positioning Squidensquizz in a striking position (a la Narrandera and Corowa) and his 1.5kg claim brings the gelding's weight back to 59.5kg - up only 1kg on his latest assignment.

Late at Narrandera, Goulburn mare Amthaal closed to finish a sound second to Squidensquizz and Blaike McDougall retains the ride.

Third up from a break, Amthaal will be in peak condition. Her get-back pattern plays into Richards' hands, but McDougall lacks nothing in the guile department.

Eight weeks back, McDougall snared the Listed Wagga Town Plate aboard Ghostly, with the former Godolphin gelding surging from the back with 300m to run to account for Sure And Fast and Oriental Runner over 1200m.

And let's not forget veteran Gentleman Max. He lines up for his 100th in the cup after a victory at Albury last week.

Read more: Gentleman Max is back

He claimed the 2017 Forbes Cup and ran fourth last year behind stable mate Willy White Socks.

The seven-year-old has struggled to beat Squidensquizz in the past finishing behind him in his past two wins.

Other live chances include top weight Appoint Percy, Gypsy Miss and Bryan's Babe but punters are expected to lean to Squidensquizz.

He's in career best form and is also nominated for a Benchmark (72) at Canterbury on Wednesday over 1580m.

Stubbs has a decision to make.

Head "up the road" for the $16,200 on offer at Forbes or $22,000 to-the-winner Canterbury contest of considerably more depth.

Monday morning's final scratchings at Forbes will be tell-tale.

Expectation is that Stubbs' free tip will be where Squidensquizz struts his stuff and the Forbes Cup whets the appetite.