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The moment of truth arrives early for some possible contenders for the Newhaven Park Country Championships which will be in action at Wagga on Wednesday.
The lightly-raced Whenitrainsitpours ($6 on TAB) will be having only her fifth start when she contests the RH Blake & Co Class 2 (1400m).
The three-year-old won her latest start at Wagga on a heavy track on January 6 and her other victory was also on a soft track at the course in August.
Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly [pictured left] has Whenitrainsitpours as a likely runner in the $150,000 Newhaven Park Southern Districts Country Championships on Saturday 19 February.
His main hope is Participator which will complete an exhibition gallop after race three with fellow contender and last year's qualifying winner, Another One.
"He will have this gallop then start in Sydney on Saturday week," Donnelly said of Participator.
As for Whenitrainsitpours, a win would confirm his spot in the race.
"I think he will start if he wins," Donnelly said.
"The race fits in well with the Country Championships race a few weeks later.
"She is getting back to a dry track and all her form is basically on wet tracks so hopefully she isn't just a wet tracker, but I don't feel she is."
Donnelly will also run last start Wagga maiden winner Blushing Mary ($5) in The Daily Advertiser Benchmark 58 (1200m). The filly has only raced twice for a sixth as favourite and a win at Wagga on January 6.
"She is an improving type who had to do the work early and still won last time," he suggested. "She is jumping in grade against some tough old horses who have won a lot more races.
"I think she may be able to get across from a wide draw."
Meanwhile, another Country Championships contender, Blitzar ($4), returns in the Bowyerair Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Wagga Scamper (1000m). Blitzar ran ninth in last year's race and is coming off a last run below expectation display at Randwick behind Ten Bells in October.
Topweight, The Unknown Factor ($2.90 favourite) is well weighted on 58kg – only 3kg above the minimum weight. The consistent grey has defeated some better gallopers in recent starts and has race fitness on his side.
