Notation has bolstered her chances of running in the Kosciuszko with a group three placing but Matthew Dale's decision weighs on Super Star Bob's form at Royal Randwick.
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The four-year-old mare is likely to fill Dale's slot in the $1.3 million race after star sprinter Fell Swoop suffered an injury two weeks ago.
Kosciuszko slot winner Rodney Thompson, who is a long-term friend of the stable, struck a deal to be represented by a Dale-trained horse last week, with Notation, Super Star Bob and Coup De Main in the mix to become the final candidate.
Notation sits third in the Koscuiszko fixed odds and strengthened her case when she placed second behind John Thompson-trained Sweet Deal in the Group Three stakes at Newcastle on Friday.
Stablemate Super Star Bob will stake his claims when he races at Royal Randwick on Saturday, with Dale waiting on his results in the handicap (1400 metres) before consulting the horses' ownership groups.
"Notation ticked the box for placing in a black-type so the discussions will still be had next week," Dale said.
"There's still a lot of variables to play out and we only just went across the line here at Newcastle so we've got to see how she pulls up and work it out.
"There's still a lot of water under the bridge even though we should have a clearer picture by the middle of next week."
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Dale's stable entered three horses for Friday's meet at Thoroughbred Park, including Sausedge and Te Ata in the Federal.
Sausedge placed first in the $40,000 race, beating Wayne Hudd-trained Denmiss by 0.95 lengths on the course-proper.
Te Ata finished seventh in the Federal, while maiden Swan Island ran third the handicap (1000 metres).
"Winning the Federal was a really good consolation for Sausedge's owner Tony Prinitis," Dale said.
"We had her in the Highway Race last week and I thought she would have won that."
Canberra Racing Club trialed holding nine races at Thoroughbred Park on Friday, as the organisation looks to increase the overall turnover received during race meetings.
The club will still hold the same number of races across the year with meetings between April and June to hold seven races each.
"The field sizes were solid [at Thoroughbred Park] on Friday," Dale said.
"I think it's a positive decision for the nine race programs and I applaud the club."
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
