Noel's Gift will be in familiar territory on Sunday for his resumption from a 12-month spell.
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The seven-year-old was formerly stabled on Mudgee Racecourse just past the winning post and will be tackling the XXXX Cup (1,400 metres) at his first start since June 2019.
"We were stuck for boxes and as we own him, he stayed out in the paddock a little longer than planned," trainer Gayna Williams, who relocated from Gulgong to Bathurst earlier this year explained.
The rising eight-year-old finished a close second in a recent Bathurst trial and has an excellent record at Mudgee with a win and three placings from four starts.
"We're really happy with his condition and he trialled nicely," Williams said.
The trainer will also be starting three others at Mudgee's meeting, one of them being Western Parade who is entered for the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1,500m).
The gelding scored an amazing win last start at Dubbo over 1,610m after going to the lead early then clearing out to be 10 lengths in front of the field at the 600m.
He kept finding reserves to score by two lengths when well-tried ($8.50 into $5.50) in his third win from 31 starts.
"It wasn't our intention to open up such a big lead; it was a bit scary watching it unfold," Williams said.
"When he sees open space, he wants to charge. He's a very strong horse but normally gets back in his races, does a few things wrong and tends to find trouble.
"He races better with cover and needs to be ridden where he's comfortable. This win could be a turning point for him."
Williams' two other horses entered for Mudgee are From the Bush (Class 1 Handicap, 1200m) and Listen to the Band (Maiden Plate, 1200m).
"From The Bush is a lovely, big strong horse with plenty of upside. We'd like to get a couple of wins under his belt and some more experience before taking him down to Sydney for a Highway race," she said.
Listen to the Band has raced twice for seconds at Wellington and Bathurst (to stablemate From the Bush).
"Listen to the Band is a full brother to Skin Deep [winner of four races] but a bit tougher," Williams said.
"He didn't race until he was a five-year-old. He was in work several times then went shin sore, so we turned him out again.
"He then injured his off-side hind leg, so the vet recommended we give him a good spell. Eventually he'll want a bit more ground but has ability."
