The Donna Scott-trained Halo Warrior has stormed into Country Championships calculations after claiming a thrilling last-stride victory in the prelude at Albury yesterday.
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Untried over the 1400m, Halo Warrior handled the rise in distance to book a spot in the Country Championships Qualifier at Wagga on February 20.
Scott boasts a terrific record in the Championships after her mighty mare Bennelong Dancer qualified for the $500,000 final at Randwick over the previous three years.
The in-form trainer looks likely to have a four-pronged attack in the Wagga qualifier with Halo Warrior, Oaminikka, Bautista and Gottaluvtrucks all on target to contest the $150,000 feature.
Stablemate La Sante who had won his past two starts at Wagga and Corowa late last year was also being set for the Championships.
But Scott said a stable mishap earlier in the week has forced her to abandon plans of a Championships assault with her in-form gelding.
Halo Warrior was partnered by Mathew Cahill when taking out the $22,000 Country Championships Prelude, (1400m).
Cahill produced a patient ride aboard Halo Warrior and nursed the gelding to the 200m before unleashing late to nab Force in the shadows of the post.
Scott was delighted to see Halo Warrior run out a strong 1400m.
"The distance was always going to be a query so I was thrilled to see him win at his attempt," Scott said.
"Matty said he was a bit worried when Force still had a three-length break at the 200m and may have left his run a little too late.
"But to the horse's credit he really found the line.
"Matty said he relaxed well in the run which gives you a bit of confidence that he will be able to run a strong 1400m in the Championship qualifier in a fortnight."
Scott said Halo Warrior would now have a few days off to recover and will have his next start in the Championships qualifier.
Oaminikka is set to have his final hitout at Moonee Valley tonight with Campbell Rawiller booked to ride.
The four-year-old gelding has won his past two starts and is a $6.50-chance in pre-post markets.
Bautista and Gottaluvtrucks both trialled at Albury yesterday with Bautista winning the trial when beating Gottaluvtrucks.
Gottaluvtrucks will tackle the Championships Qualifier first-up from a spell while Scott was unsure whether Bautista may race or have another trial in the lead-up to the 1400m feature.
Meanwhile local trainer Martin Stein also landed a winner on the seven-race card.
The Stein-trained Cracking Dawn broke through for her first career win in the $22,000 Maiden Hcp, (1600m) with Brendan Ward aboard.
