But he’s got all the confidence in the world that petite galloper Tully Bolero will put in the best effort she can, particularly out of the wider barrier nine.

“It’s tough, tough, tough. And when you’ve got seasoned gallopers with 10 and 18 wins to their credit, it’s a big ask for a little horse,” he said.

“But she’s a great little horse. Always does the best she possibly can.”

The five-year-old grabbed her fourth career victory when she won Armidale 1300m BM 55 before a “disappointing” sixth of 14 over 1100m in BM 55 again on the same track December 10.

“She just couldn’t get a crack at them that day,” Tanner said.

“She drew the rails but prefers to race out wide, rather than be cluttered up and have horses coming past her.

“The nine gate will suit her a lot better and the lesser weight will also be in her favour.

“It’s a matter of whether she can get a nice run in behind them.”

Aiding the chances of Tully Bolero, who will be ridden by apprentice Jemma Wilson, will be the fact that she has won on the Tamworth track and in the heavy going, which Tanner hopes will be dished out to her today.

Also heading south today will be stablemate Hello Goodbye in the 1400m Coca Cola Maiden Handicap, also to be ridden by Jemma Wilson.

“She’s only a little mare too - I seem to do better with the smaller gallopers,” he joked.

“She put in a handy effort in her last start at Quirindi - only beaten one-and-a-half lengths after giving them a heap of start.”