The Canberra trainer's Handle The Truth produced a gutsy run to finish second in the $1.3 million feature race at Randwick on Saturday, just getting run down in the shadows of the post by Art Cadeau.

Queanbeyan trainer Tony Sergi's Island Bay Boy got badly checked in traffic to finish last.

Handle The Truth's second goes with his win in the 2019 edition of The Kosciuszko and his fourth last year.

Dryden said they'll likely head to the Goulburn Cup (1400m) on October 31 before having a spell in the paddock.

Then he'll return for Canberra's listed National Sprint (1400m) on Black Opal Stakes Day, before targeting The Kosciuszko once again.

"We'll back up for him next year and butter up again, and have another crack at them again next year," Dryden said.

"That'll be his aim next year. Probably go to the Goulburn Cup, then to the paddock and then back for the National Sprint, then back to The Kosciuszko - that'll be the plan, if he holds up."

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Dryden said his charge was unlucky not to get any cover heading into the home straight.

The early race leaders drifted wide, forcing Handle The Truth to lead the field coming out of the home turn.

He darted clear, but couldn't hold on as the 59-kilogram topweight started to take its toll.

"Probably a bit unlucky he didn't get a bit of cover. That was the part that's probably cost us the race," Dryden said.

"But the best horse on the day won the race.

"He carried an extra kilo and a half more than the other horse, did the hard work up the front - all those little things make a difference."