Smart probably has the cheapest horse in Sunday's Black Opal Stakes (1200 metres), while Queanbeyan-based Cleary says he's going in with cricket score odds with Little Krakatoa.

Smart's Mr Maharaj and Little Krakatoa are the only locally trained horses in a strong field of two-year-old's from across the country.

They'll be competing against the likes of Golden Slipper prospect Cessabeel and stablemate Muntaserra, as well as three horses from the Snowden stable.

"We'll try to fly the flag between Todd and I, if one of us can run a place that's mission accomplished," Cleary said.

"I race in Sydney quite often and take on those trainers, so they don't phase me too much.

"I don't worry too much about the opposition, it's always good to have run in your hometown's signature race. Dad won the race a couple of times over the years so it would be good to have our name back on the honour board."

Little Krakatoa finished second in last month's Maiden Plate on the Sapphire Coast, while Mr Maharaj ran fifth on his career debut in Canberra.

The Smart-trained gelding was bought for just $12,000 from a ready-to-run sale and has shown promising signs as a stayer.

"You can't get a horse going for $12,000, let alone get a run in the group 3 Black Opal, so it's a massive thing for our stable, the owner and staff," Smart said.

"You've got to be confident with your horse and the staff to get the job done. I think we've had the right preparation going into this run to be competitive.

"I think he's going to be hitting the line, he's definitely an each way chance. Yes, we've got a horse worth $12,000 but he definitely doesn't run like a $12,000 horse that's for sure."

Five runners in the Black Opal have been nominated for races at Royal Randwick on Saturday and could chose to race in Sydney instead.

Snowden-trained Bartley and Freedman-trained On the Lead both drew wide gates for the Black Opal but inside gates in the $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200 metres) in Sydney.

"A couple of those horses who have drawn wide in Canberra have drawn inside in Sydney, so I think they'll definitely come out," Smart said.

"Lesser horses in the race is definitely going to give us a better chance of winning some nice money come Sunday."

Smart also has a runner in the Canberra Cup with British Great Glen, who is coming off two podium finishes.

"He's been racing at a Highway grade and it's given him confidence," Smart said.

"He loves the Canberra track, the surface. He loves a bit of give in the ground which we'll get with this rain.

"He's definitely a sneaky each way chance at odds at going really well."

Canberra Racing Carnival at Thoroughbred Park

Sunday: National Sprint (1400 metres) at 4.30pm, Black Opal Stakes (1200 metres) at 5.10pm.

Monday: Canberra Guineas (1400 metres) at 4.30pm, Canberra Cup (2000 metres) at 5.15pm.