Joe Cleary's Koscuiszko bid has come Up Trumpz after two-years of trying to secure a slot in the $1.3 million race.
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The Queanbeyan trainer will have his first shot at the lucrative 1200 metre race after snatching one of the final three slots on Saturday.
Cleary's stable missed out on the inaugural race last year when his stakes winning sprinter Coolring was an emergency but didn't get a run.
Cleary cut a deal with the slot-holders from Port Macquarie on Saturday, before Goulburn trainer Danny Williams confirmed he'd struck up a stable deal similar to Matthew Dale.
"My word, it's fantastic to be back," Cleary said.
"We're very happy to be in it and I'm just really excited for [his owners] the Shires family. They're a beautiful family and have been great supporters of mine."
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Up Trumpz has placed within the top-four for every race this year and won the benchmark 70 handicap (1100 metres) at Warwick Farm last month after a 17-week spell.
Cleary will race the five-year-old gelding at the same venue on Wednesday before heading to the Koscuiszko on October 19.
"His fresh form is his best form," Cleary said.
"That's why I've given him three weeks between runs and then the month leading into the Koscuiszko.
"We'll then prepare him so he's nice, bubbly and fresh for the race."
Jockey Nash Rawiller will likely ride Up Trumpz at the Koscuiszko, depending on the results of Wednesday's meet at Warwick Farm.
"He'll ride him this week and if he runs up to expectation then Nash will take him for the ride," Cleary said.
Up Trumpz is the second Queanbeyan-trained horse selected for the $1.3 million race after Todd Blowes' Noble Boy snatched a slot last week.
Noble Boy sits second on the TAB Kosciuszko fixed odds, while Up Trumpz is placed 12th.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
