Kosciuszko done and dusted: Keith Dryden looks to back up $1.3m win in Canberra

Messages flowed through and champagne flutes were filled to the brim after Handle the Truth claimed the biggest win of Dryden's decorated 45-year career.

But as soon as the veteran trainer returned to his Canberra stables, it was back to business and onto the next race.

Dryden will assess Handle The Truth over the week before deciding whether to take the Koscuiszko winner down to the Melbourne carnivals or to Newcastle for the Hunter.

The inaugural $1 million race will take place at Newcastle Racecourse on November 16 and is designed to attract the best sprinters from Everest Day.

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"It's been fantastic but I didn't do much celebrating, I've been at work ever since," Dryden said.

"I've got a job to do. I'm a racehorse trainer so I've got responsibilities for all the other owners in the stable with their horses. I'm not focused on one horse.

"He's having a few easy days, that boy, he had a couple of swims and trot around the block. I'm focusing on Friday's races now."

Dryden has nominated three horses in the Federal for Friday's meeting at Thoroughbred Park, with Waiheke, Sweet Knuckle and Gunga Din.

Sweet Knuckle and Waiheke respectively ran first and second in the Bateman's Bay Cup, while Gunga Din finished third in the Highway Handicap (1600 metres) at Royal Randwick earlier this month.

"It's a tough race but they're all racing well," Dryden said.

"Waiheke and Sweet Knuckle will be each way chances in the race with a good chance to win. Waiheke could probably be looking a bit further, while Sweet Knuckle may be coming to the end of her prep.

"She's worked well but she's a typical mare, sometimes they can be highly strung so she's getting a bit edgy. It could be her last run but we'll see after the race.

"Gunga Din ran a nice third in the Highway, so he'd be a place chance in the race as well."

Dryden could possibly scratch Balonne from the benchmark 60, handicap (1300 metres) after drawing barrier 19.

SCORSES' SAUCE

Former leading jockey John Scorse provides all the tips you need for Canberra's race meet on Friday:

Best bet: Race 4, No.3 Larmour: Nice staying mare set to peak here, forgive Queanbeyan defeat, only start this t/d a strong win.

Best roughie: Race 7, No.11: Romeo Vella: Very strong form last preparation, had a torid run first up, better drawn this time.

Race one: 1st: No.2 Piping Roller: Both provincial placings have been very solid at 1000m, back in grade and beautifully placed with the extra 200m. 2nd: No.1 Chabrol: Strong performance last time in much better grade, ideally drawn and will be on the pace all the way. 3rd: No.7 Jokes: Three runs to date all been good, should peak here. 4th: No.4 Scarleo: Chance on debut effort.

Race two: 1st: No.3 First Responder: Not far away all three runs this preparation, back in distance will suit him and should be very hard to run down here. 2nd: No.1 Litchfield: Solid effort this t/d two back, set to peak here. 3rd: No.2 Shady Diamond: Speedy and better for three runs this preparation will be prominent throughout. 4th: No. 5 Diamond Class: Solid on debut, can improve.

Race three: 1st: No.2 Brussels: Speedy mare who was too fresh first up, should be fitter and ideally drawn, hard to beat. 2nd: No.4 Denman's Light: Well bred mare on debut after a number of trials, well drawn and looks a major player. 3rd: No.3 Corcra: Should be at peak after three runs and very speedy, will be there throughout. 4th: No.10 Kootaloo: Watch market.

Race four: 1st: No. 3 Larmour: Nice staying mare who will be at peak after four runs this preparation, unsuited last time, can break back here. 2nd: No.2 High Street: Nice mare who has been well placed, drawn to get all the favours and will be very close up at the finish. 3rd: No.5 Sepulchre: Has finally hit her straps this time in, very strong win at Wagga and can go on with it here. 4th: No.4 Time Stamp: Will lead for a long way.

Race five: 1st: No.7 Calescent: Speedy filly resuming, has shown good promise and the one they have to run down. 2nd: No.2 Rozburg: Very good effort last start off four week break, will have the last shot here. 3rd: No.4 Dalmatinka: Strong maiden winner this t/d on debut, forgive last start. 4th: No.1 Dizzy Miss Lizzy: Next best.

Race six: 1st: No.4 Jungle Book: In need of all three runs this preparation, will get back but has a strong finish. 2nd: No.9 Trust The Process: Lightly raced and showing good potential, beautifully placed here. 3rd: No.8 Liam's The Boss: Strong effort first time at the mile at only third race start, has good claims here. 4th: No.3 Is That So: Next best.

Race seven: 1st: No.11 Romeo Vella: Smart type with conditions to suit here, forgive last start, he will be good value. 2nd: No.6 Caccini: Smart mare freshened up, love this trip but will need some luck from awkward draw. 3rd: No.4 Our Finvarra: At his best this track and distance and will run on strongly here. 4th: No.3 Eve's Miss: Next best.

Race eight: 1st: No.8 Sweet Knuckle: Smart mare in top form, has won two of last three this trip and drawn to get the favours. 2nd: No.6 Waiheke: Given no hope last start, earlier form good and significant jockey change. 3rd: No.9 Gungadin: Big effort last time with the blinkers on off four week break, he is on the improve. 4th: No.7 Hilltop Hood: In top form, don't take lightly.

Race nine: 1st: No.8 Denmiss: Smart mare in top form, unsuited in the small field last start, can break back here. 2nd: No.2 No Emotion: Unsuited from wide draws last two, drawn to get all the favours here. 3rd: No.8 Heaven On Earth: Consistent mare, well drawn and gets the claim, wont be far away. 4th: No.1 Moss The Boss: Next best.