The Canberra trainer is eyeing another start in the $1.3 million race for his star sprinter, who won the second edition of The Kosciuszko in 2019.

Handle The Truth headlines the $150,000 National Sprint (1400 metres) at Thoroughbred Park, in what will be his second start since having a 15-week spell.

He comes off a third-placed finish in a Benchmark 94 (1100 metres) at Randwick, with Dryden thinking he's an each-way chance for the Canberra Carnival race.

Dryden will likely race Handle The Truth twice before the five-year-old gelding goes back to the paddock, setting him up for The Kosciuszko in October.

Handle The Truth's last victory came in the Open Sprint at the 2020 Black Opal Stakes Day, with Dryden hoping he'll return to the winner's podium under Nash Rawiller come Sunday afternoon.

"We hope so. He had a great preparation last time in, he ran a place but only in a couple of runs," Dryden said.

"He went to the Kosciuszko, he was a bit unlucky there because he drew one from the outside and still ran a great race. We were happy with that, so he'll come back.

"He'll probably only have this run and another one, before going back to the paddock again - to be set for the Kosciuszko later this year.

"It'll be up to Nash [on Sunday], how he wants to ride him. I won't give him any instructions, he'll sort it out as he goes."

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Following the National Sprint, Dryden has unraced two-year-old Poker Dice in the $250,000 Black Opal Stakes (1200 metres).

He's drawn barrier 13 for the Group 2 race, while the Scott Spackman-trained Rocket Tiger - who is considered as the horse to beat - will start from barrier one.

"We didn't expect him to get a run, he was nominated and the fields fell away a bit," Dryden said.

"As I said to the guys, this race will be too classy for him, just go out and enjoy the day.

"He'll be a good horse in 12 months, he's bred to stay. His half-brother won over 2200 metres."

Altogether Dryden has six horses racing on Black Opal Stakes Day, including Kermatin in the Riharna Thomson Memorial race.

It's a maiden he'd like to win in the late stable foreman's honour, although Dryden concedes he's probably rushed the three-year-old filly to be ready in time for the 1200-metres race.

Kermatin has started twice in her career, and is coming off an 18-week spell.

"I only jumped her out during the week, she seemed to pull up well. At least she can go around and give the owners a nice day out," Dryden said.

"It will step her up. I don't think you'll see what she's really like until she gets to a mile."

She'll race against Norm Gardner's Dancin' Til Dawn, with the local trainer confident of her chances despite drawing barrier 13.

"I'm very happy with her. We targeted this race, too bad she's drawn wide - but I'm very confident she'll run in the top three," Gardner said.

"Everyone knew Riharna and liked her, it's a race we want to win for sure."

Like Gardner, Dryden also has a horse in the listed Canberra Cup (2000 metres) on Monday - in seven-year-old gelding Balansa.

"The owners have had a good lot of fun with this horse," Dryden said.

CANBERRA RACING CARNIVAL

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

Monday: Canberra Guineas (1400 metres) at 4.25pm, Canberra Cup (2000 metres) at 5.10pm.