WHEN Tamworth trainer Melanie O'Gorman ventured to 2018's edition of The Kosciuszko, she went "expecting to enjoy the day".
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Fast-forward to the race's end, and O'Gorman's bay gelding Suncraze had surprised punters by claiming second place.
That result peaked O'Gorman's hunger to go one better in 2019 and set the wheels in motion for a 12-month-long preparation for this year's $1 million event on Saturday.
"I like the fact he has had a few weeks between runs now, heading into this race," O'Gorman told the Leader.
"He's the sort of horse who needs to be fresh, he trains off very quickly and usually his first few runs are his best runs.
"For me, it's great to see him on his toes and ready to go.
"It's a very similar build-up to what we had last year and I'm really happy with where the horse is at."
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Much like last year, Suncraze entered the race after a syndicate from the Dorrigo Pub secured a ticket and aligned itself with the now six-year-old.
"I was absolutely thrilled to be lined up with those guys again this year," O'Gorman said.
"Last year we had such a great day, celebrating the fact we came second with champagne, and the guys said to myself and the owner, 'Well, we'll be back again next year. We'll set aside some of our winnings to reinvest next year.'
"Funnily enough, that's exactly how it has panned out and it is just really exciting."
Currently seen as a $34 chance by the TAB, O'Gorman said she believed Suncraze was a much better bet.
"I really do think he is a great chance, even though the odds don't really suggest that," she said.
"This horse has run second in this race twice before.
"I was in the Highway Anniversary Handicap with him in the first year of The Everest; it was a slightly different formatted race to last year but a good form race nonetheless.
"I really feel he is a better chance than $34."
Temperatures in Sydney are expected to reach the mid-20s on Saturday, conditions O'Gorman said would suit Suncraze.
"A little bit of rain would probably suit us a little bit better, to be honest," she said.
"However, one big advantage this horse has is that he is really adaptable to the conditions.
"He is equally good in wet and dry conditions, so whatever the weather comes up with, he should be right to go."
O'Gorman is only one of several trainers in the region preparing for showpiece races on Saturday.
Fellow Tamworth trainer Sue Grills will also feature at Royal Randwick, entering Burning Crown into the Highway Handicap and Attila as an emergency into The Kosciuszko.
Cody Morgan will provide stiff competition to Burning Crown in the Highway Handicap with Screen Shot.
And the Armidale connections of Yes Yes Yes will be hoping for victory in The Everest.
"To be honest, there really isn't a better time to be a country trainer than right now, and this Saturday proves that," O'Gorman said.