Laura McCullum has accepted with last start winner Necessary, as well as Bell’s Innocent who is first-up from a break.
McCullum has had five winners and six placings in her first full season of training, possessing a win strike rate of 11%.
The Albury-based trainer said she couldn’t imagine the fledgling stable being represented at metropolitan level this early in her career.
“I’ve always wanted to be a trainer,” she said.
“I didn’t picture myself heading toward Metropolitan grade, but if the horses stand up to it and can race in that grade, then why not?
“I just wanted to establish the team, establish the routine and get to know the horses.
“My only goals were just to have the horses go around and be sound.”
Necessary was an impressive last start victor on her home track of Albury, relishing the heavy conditions and the New South Wales way of going for the first time.
The six-year-old will take her place in the Barry Cook Handicap (1800m), jumping from barrier nine with Tyler Schiller on board, claiming three kilos.
McCullum said the mare has never felt as good as she is now.
“She’s super, I don’t think she’s felt this good in her life to be honest,” she said.
“I don’t think she had been tested on a heavy track prior to her win at Albury last start. She absolutely loved it and the conditions (on Saturday) will just be super.
“She’s jumping out of her skin. I’m putting the work into her and she just keeps copping it.”
McCullum’s second runner Bell’s Innocent will need a bit of luck to gain a start, as he currently sits as the second emergency in the Warren Woodcock Handicap (1100m).
The five-year-old is only lightly raced with 17 starts next to his name and turned in a nice trial at Albury on Tuesday, beating home last start Highway winner Swagger under a strong hold.
McCullum is the son of Bel Esprit’s eighth trainer through his short career to date, but the Albury- based trainer will most likely be his last.
“The purpose of him going down to Cranbourne was to qualify for the Victorian Championships,” she said.
“But that didn’t pan out in his preparation. He went for a spell after that, and he’ll stay up here now.
“He’s a tough horse and he’ll keep going until he’s a 10-year-old I reckon. He just loves it.
“He had a bit of competition in that trial, and he was hard held by Hannah Williams, and he just went super.
“He just floated through the ground. So wet conditions will really suit him as well.”
