Trainer Donna Scott has been forced to head to the city with her two Country Championships contenders in La Sante and Oamanikka.
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The pair are set to have their final hitout at Moonee Valley on Friday night ahead of the $150,000 Championships Qualifier at Wagga on February 20.
Scott said a lack of suitable races over 1200m locally will see the pair contest the $50,000 Benchmark 64 Hcp, (1200m).
Campbell Rawiller will partner Oamanikka while Lachlan King picks up the mount aboard La Sante.
Both gallopers will head to Moonee Valley in terrific form after having notched consecutive wins at their past two starts.
Scott was hoping the forecast of rain at the meeting didn't arrive until after her stablemates had raced.
"Hopefully the weather doesn't turn nasty on us," Scott said.
"It's probably not ideal heading to the city but there is nothing suitable locally.
"Ideally we would have liked to race at Albury but it's a 1400m race.
"Both my horses have had a freshen-up so I was looking for something over 1200m.
"There is a suitable race at Wagga next Thursday but it's probably too close to the Championships Qualifier.
"So we are off to Moonee Valley."
Scott conceded both her gallopers faced a stiff rise in class against some handy sprinters who are already proven in city company.
"Obviously it's not their main target and I'm just hoping they can both prove competitive," she said.
"My main concern is they get through unscathed and then we can look forward to the Country Championship Qualifier in just over two weeks."
IN OTHER NEWS
Scott's immediate attention will turn to her home track on Thursday where she has six runners on the seven-race card.
The in-form trainer who leads the SDRA premiership was hopeful Halo Warrior could notch his third win from his past four starts and also warrant a start in the Championships Qualifier.
Halo Warrior is set to contest the $22,000 Championships Preview, (1400m) and has the added bonus of Mathew Cahill on board.
"I'm hoping Halo Warrior can win again," she said.
"The query is the 1400m but I'm confident he can get the distance.
"If he can run a strong 1400m and is in the finish I'm hoping he can also form part of my assault on the Country Championships.
"I also think Bellerina Magic is a winning hope after finishing in the placings at her past three starts."