Local trainer Norm Gardner launches Canberra Carnival attack with Miss Ostend and Upper House

Former stable-star Coliseo finished second and third in successive years in the Canberra Cup (2000 metres), while the local trainer has also claimed fifth in the Black Opal Stakes (1200 metres).

It's a result he's eager to rectify at this weekend's Canberra Racing Carnival, with Gardner launching a two-pronged attack with thoroughbreds Miss Ostend and Upper House.

Indeed, Gardner is aiming for a top five finish in both races - having entered two-year-old Miss Ostend in Sunday's Group 3 Black Opal and Upper House in the listed Canberra Cup.

His stable is one of four that have runners in them and while he's doubtful of claiming both features, Gardner is looking to do one better than his historical results.

"It would be unbelievable but I doubt that will happen," Gardner said.

"I've been very close, I got beaten by a hand in the Canberra Cup a few years ago and third the year before. I've come very close to winning it.

"The closest I've come in the Black Opal is fifth. I'd like to finish a bit closer than that, that's what it's all about."

Canberra's last local winner in the $250,000 Black Opal came via the Gratz Vella-trained You're Canny a decade ago.

Miss Ostend won her first start at Thoroughbred Park in November, but has since missed the podium after drawing three wide barriers.

She finished fourth in her last start at the $40,500 Opal Preview, 6.01 lengths behind winner Pretty Woman - who raced in Sydney's Riesling Stakes instead this weekend.

The Matthew Dale-trained filly came second last in the Golden Slipper prelude, with Freedman's Glistening claiming the $300,000 Group 2 by a narrow 0.1 lengths.

They were among six dual-nominated horses in the Black Opal that were sent to the Harbour City for Randwick Guineas Raceday.

With the field falling away and a barrier six start, Gardner is expecting his filly to perform well under jockey Mathew Cahill come Sunday afternoon.

"It's a very good spot. I think she'll come in a couple with scratchings but either way I'm very happy with that," Gardner said.

"The biggest problem we've had with her since she's won is that she's drawn wide barriers ever since.

"We took her up to the Magic Millions in Wyong, she drew second from the outside and ran fourth which was a good run.

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"She drew barrier 10 in Sydney, last start she drew barrier 13 of 13. It was a good effort, she was five the whole way and equal last straightening up, taking ground off the winner which was a good effort considering the fast time the winner ran.

"I'm expecting a very good show from her on Sunday. I'm very confident of a top five finish."

Upper House goes into the $250,000 Canberra Cup on the back of three wins this preparation, the last of which came in a Benchmark 84 at Wagga Wagga last month.

He's drawn barrier one for Monday's feature, with Gardner confident of a top-five finish despite the eight-year-old gelding racing above a mile for the first time.

"He's coming along well. This is his first chance at 2000-metres, it's a pretty tough one for it," Gardner said.

"But he's drawn barrier one, so he should have a low and soft run. When he gets a soft run he can really accelerate this horse, I'm confident of a top-five finish.

"He's definitely got the fitness to run the distance."

CANBERRA CARNIVAL

Sunday: National Sprint 4.30pm, Black Opal Stakes at 5.10pm