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Trainer Terry Robinson says if Country Championships hero Art Cadeau is to win The Kosciuszko later this year his best plan of attack is to go into the $1.3 million race first-up.
The four-year-old is nearing the end of his spell at his owner Mick Lill's property at Berry and Terry Robinson said he's thriving on the back of a tough campaign where he really came of age as a racehorse.
"I looked at him only last week and he looks very well,'' Robinson said.
"He's in with a mate and I have to pick the mate up on Monday, but he does well at home and Mick really looks after the horse.
"Getting to the final was a little bit of a problem but with a good break now it will be more beneficial for the horse."
Art Cadeau graduated from winning a Class 2 Highway in January to take out the South East Qualifier at Goulburn and went into the $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships Final with almost eight weeks between runs.
He led all the way to win the 1400m feature by half a length over Another One and Charmmebaby.
The gelding's record now reads five wins and six seconds from 11 starts and Robinson hopes that's enough for one of this year's 14 Kosciuszko ticket winners to want to snap him up.
So far two Country Championships winners have contested The Kosciuszko with Victorem finishing fifth to Belflyer in 2018 while Noble Boy ran fourth behind Handle The Truth in 2019.
"I think he's really a 1400m-miler horse and with fresh legs he's better off at the 1200m first-up,'' Robinson said.
"He'll have two private jump outs at home, we always give them two to make sure they are ready, and all going well we will stick to that plan.
"I see he's second favourite, hopefully someone will pick him. He has a great record and it'll be nice to get a run with him."
Reigning The Kosciuszko champ It's Me opened $4.50 favourite with TAB last week with Art Cadeau and Group 2 winner Victorem on the second line at $6.
Robinson may have a second Kosciuszko contender in the shape of new acquisition Golly I'm Lucky who joined his stable early in May, prior to the cut off point for eligibility.
The six-year-old was formerly trained by Theresa Bateup and has won six of his 28 starts, he hasn't raced since finishing second in a Benchmark 68 at Kembla Grange in March.
"He's a nice handy horse and he can really gallop. He's only been in work a few weeks,'' Robinson said.
The Kosciuszko is run over 1200m on TAB Everest Day, October 16, at Royal Randwick.
