The announcement of the 2018-19 SDRA Horse of the Year will be feature of the SDRA Awards Night at Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

Spunlago and the Geoff Duryea-trained News Girl loom as the favourites for the award, along with Country Championship heat winner Bennelong Dancer.

Stubbs is happy just to have Spunlago among the finalists.

"I haven't really done the form...but it's a thrill just to be a contender," Stubbs said.

"I guess being placed and winning at metropolitan Saturday level makes him a strong contender.

"News Girl being group placed, any trainer would like to have a group placed horse. It's hard to line up a group placing and a metro Saturday win."

Spunlago won $166,705 last season, more than any other horse in the SDRA.

He had 13 starts for four wins and three minor placings. He won the League Of Their Own Mile (1600m), Tom Patton Cup (1800m) and Ted Ryder Cup (1600m), all at Wagga. Spunlago then placed twice at Flemington before winning a $125,000 Open Handicap (1600m) there in May.

Stubbs was delighted with Spunlago's season.

"It was fantastic, I was very, very happy with it," he said.

"He took out those two nice features at Wagga. I suppose the only disappointing thing was we were going to have a crack at the Albury and Wagga Cups but for various reasons he didn't get a start in either.

"But he was able to cap things off with some metropolitan placings and a win on a Saturday so we came away very happy."

Meantime, the SDRA annual general meeting will be held at the MTC Member's Lounge on Wednesday at 5.30pm. The Awards Night will follow at 6.30pm.

The awards function is open to everyone and will feature the announcement of the SDRA Trainer, Jockey, Apprentice and Horse of the Year titles.

It is free to attend and there will be complimentary finger food.

READ MORE