The John Whitelaw-trained The Doctor's Son has been allocated top-weight of 59kg for what is shaping as an intriguing $150,000 SDRA Country Championships qualifier at Wagga on Saturday.
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The Doctor's Son is the highest rated galloper among the 16 nominations after winning five of 18-career starts.
The 79-rater scored the biggest win of his career last September in the $80,000 The Panorma, (1300m) with Blaike McDougall aboard.
The Doctor's Son also proved competitive in the Snake Gully Cup at his most recent run and is set to resume from a 14-week spell in the $150,000 feature.
Albury trainers boast a strong hand in the qualifier with 10 of the 16 entries.
Donna Scott who leads the SDRA trainers premiership has the most runners with Oamanikka, Halo Warrior, Bautista and Gottaluvtrucks.
Mitch Beer (Mnementh, Matsumoto and Previso), Ron Stubbs (Yousay Bolt) and Norm Loy (Takissacod) also have entries.
Gary Colvin (Another One and Sizzling Cat), Chris Heywood (Blitzar) and Scott Spackman (Tocatchacod) will fly the flag for a hometown victory.
Beer who qualified for the $500,000 final last year with Sky Call said he wasn't surprised there were only 16 nominations.
"Some people may have been surprised there were only 16 nominations," Beer said.
"But I wasn't knowing most of the horses that were targeting the race and the rule changes from last year.
"I could have nominated five or six horses if I wanted to.
"But what's the point if they are not a realistic chance of winning the race?
"I think that most horses in the district that are eligible for the race and can prove competitive are among the nominations."
Beer said the qualifier looks to be an open affair with no standout runner among the nominations.
"I think the nominations are as strong as the past couple of years," he said.
"Probably the biggest difference is there looks to be a lot more progressive horses this year.
"Those younger horses that are coming through the grades.
"Last year the two qualifiers in Bennelong Dancer and Sky Call were a bit more proven and not lightly raced gallopers.
"I think this year there are at least four strong winning hopes with all having different formlines."
Beer pinpointed Mnementh, Lady Brook, Blitzar, Another One and Oaminikka as among the leading hopes.
"I give Mnementh a huge chance," he said.
"If Lady Brook gets the distance she has to be catapulted into calculations.
"Blitzar looks primed for 1400m.
"Another One has already won a TAB Highway two starts back and wasn't far away again last start.
"While Donna boasts an enviable record in the race with Oaminikka narrowly beaten in the city at his most recent stat."
The final field will be released on Thursday.
