While Bathurst trainer Theobald won’t have a runner in the feature Country Championships heat main field – outside of Tiger’s Story as an emergency – he still boasts eight other runners over the nine-race program.

All Sixes leads the charge for the group with a run in the Bathurst Cup (1,800m).

The six-year-old mare comes into the race off the back of two encouraging placings at Orange over the past month and gets the start here from barrier two.

Carinda Girl will also make a start in the Cup but will be pushed to the limit against higher-graded runners at the same minimum 54- kilogram weight.

Theobald said the Bill Aspros Cup (1,200m) is the race he’s looking forward to most of the remaining runners and the one he has the best shot at taking out with Dunderry. 

“I’ve got him firing on all cylinders and he’s right on track. The 1,200m is the query. It will all come down to tactics and how the race is run. If we can dictate the terms then we’ll give ourselves the best shot,” he said.

“The 1,200 is different to the 1,000 though because he’ll be able to get to the front easier. In the 1,000 they’re out from the get go. He’s going to be a force and he’ll take it to them.”

The six-year-old gelding comes into the day’s sprint race with some excellent form, having finished a close second to Country Championships starter Vortuka in Orange at last start.

This will be Dunderry’s 51st career start but his first racing above a 1,100m distance in eight starts.

Another race that Theobald will be eyeing off is The Barb (3,000m).

A rare sight in country racing, the lengthy race was popular with spectators last year and has solidified its place on the Bathurst Cup program.

Theobald had Bathurstian take control of last year’s race from early on, but even after 2,600m of racing he had plenty left in the tank to put distance back to the field.

Only a late charge from Bloodbuzz Ohio could deny Bathurstian the win by a head, and now Theobald is determined to go one spot better.

He sees top weight Fuerza as the horse to beat over the long trip. 

“The one to beat will be Bjorn Baker’s horse. I’ve watched all his races now and at the last start he was run into the ground and that was only over 2,400m,” he said.

“He’s won his share of races but only up to the 2,200m. He’ll be a tough horse to beat ... but if he goes along at a high cruising speed then we’ll sit back and wait.

“I think Bathurstian, All Sixes and Dunderry will be the ones up there in the money without a doubt.”

Ironmonger, Carinda Girl, Rise Me Up and Tiger’s Story are all set for starts in the day’s other races.