The Leeton trainer was gearing up to take his in-form runner Ideal Escape to Sydney last Saturday for the Club Menangle Country Series Final but lockdown laws shot that plan down.

However, the $20,000 race was moved to the front of this Wednesday night's Bathurst Paceway program and it means Hillier will be making his first ever trip to race in the city since racing moved to the new College Road circuit.

The four and a half hour trip is certainly a lengthy one but with the way his American Ideal four-year-old gelding has started his career it looks like it could be a worthwhile journey.

Over his five starts at Wagga this preparation Ideal Escape has always finished inside the top three, and during his latest run a fortnight ago he claimed his second career win in dominant fashion with a 1:55.0 mile rate.

He goes out from gate four in Wednesday's final - a start he earned courtesy of a second placing in the heat behind Baker Creek earlier this month.

"He's got to be considered a chance, provided he travels," Hillier said.

"His runs have been very good. He's a horse that's pretty versatile. He doesn't have to lead, he can come from anywhere. He's fairly strong.

"He's been doing a great job so far."

Ellen Bartley's Baker Creek will also be making a long trip from her Narrandera stable for the final, though a back row draw could throw a couple of challenges the way of driver Blake Jones.

Bernie Hewitt's Metaki Majic will be one to watch in gate three.

Metaki Majic has come across from the Craig Cross stable to Hewitt this season, and won his Country Series Heat at $61 odds earlier this month.

Gate one starter Blazing Shannon should command some respect given his great form of late.

The Darren Elder-trained five-year-old has been a consistent placegetter at Newcastle.

Philip Willis' Bently Bullet looks to be the best of the back row hopes as he chases a third straight victory.

Nathan Turnbull's Bomani will also be chasing the same feat against a strong field.

Hillier will leave the plans for Wednesday night's race in the hands of driver Stewart Richards.

"I haven't been to the new track at Bathurst so this will be a bit of a learning curve," Hillier said.

"You have to start from somewhere though.

"I think the horse drawn to the inside of him, Bernie Hewitt's, will lead. Blake Jones' horse should get a good run through as well."

The Country Series Final will kickstart a big 10 race meeting at Bathurst Paceway from 4.37pm.

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