Canberra trainer Keith Dryden is likely to scratch four-year-old De Jetcat from tomorrow's Albury Gold Cup (2000m), potentially leaving the region without a starter in the $125,000 race.
After Queanbeyan's Jules de Smet opted against taking New Edge to Albury, the region's hopes of claiming the cup rest with De Jetcat.
But Dryden is considering running the four-year-old in Saturday's Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill, instead of chasing Albury's riches. Dryden will consult with De Jetcat's owner this morning, before deciding which race she will start in.
''My preference is probably the Gold Cup at Albury, but it will be up to the owner,'' Dryden said.
''As he suggested to me, if we run third at Albury there's a bit more money, but if you run third in Sydney in a black type race it adds a lot of value to your horse.
''It's yet to be decided, but that was his feelings.''
If De Jetcat is scratched, Dryden will still have four runners at the two-day Albury carnival, starting with De World Cup and Culture Warrior in today's minor races.
De World Cup will contest a 1400m Maiden Plate, while Culture Warrior has been set for a $10,000 Restricted Handicap (1000m).
Both have drawn horribly in barrier 13, leaving Dryden doubtful of coming away with a winner.
''It's going to make it very difficult. It's not a track to be starting horses from bad barriers I don't think,'' Dryden said.
''Culture Warrior has been going well ... if he gets away with them he'll be somewhere around the money, but he's no walk up start there. It's just a terrible barrier.
''[Jockey] Kevin Sweeney said to me, 'if you draw wide here it's really difficult work'.''
Queanbeyan trainer Frank Cleary's only starter at Albury today has also drawn poorly.
Experienced galloper Bomber Command will contest the $40,000 Enpower Solutions City Handicap (1175m) from barrier 12.
Despite the poor barrier Cleary said Bomber Command was capable of making it two wins from two starts at Albury.
''I guess it's not the end of the world, he gets back anyhow,'' Cleary said. ''There's a big long run in the straight and he won at his only start at the track.
''Because of his racing pattern he's one of those horses that needs luck in running.
''If he gets it, watch out.''
Dryden will fly to New Zealand on Monday to re-unite with National Sprint winner Bacchanal Woman, who is set to contest a Group1 race on April 4.