Five horses have secured their places in the $2 million The Kosciuszko, with Graceful Ellen, Love Shuck, Band Of Brothers, Considered and So You Pence locked in for the October 17 feature at Randwick.
The first five selections account for five of the 14 available slots in the 1200m race for country-trained sprinters, leaving another nine positions still to be filled.
Matthew Dunn currently has the strongest representation with two runners among the five horses confirmed by Racing NSW.
Murwillumbah slot winner Jessica Tillett has selected the Dunn-trained Band Of Brothers, while Minto-based slot holder Peter Yammine will be represented by stablemate Considered.
Graceful Ellen has secured the Bombala slot held by Peter Joseph. The mare is prepared by the training partnership of Barbara Joseph, Paul Jones and Matt Jones.
Gundagai slot winner Martin Hay has chosen Todd Smart-trained sprinter Love Shuck for his position in the race.
So You Pence is the other runner confirmed at this stage, with the Matthew Dale-trained galloper selected to represent Inverell’s Tattersalls Hotel.
Dunn is the only trainer with multiple runners secured in the race so far, holding two of the five confirmed positions as the remaining slot holders continue to assess their options ahead of October 17.
