The 10-strong syndicate of women, headed by the four-year-old gelding’s trainer Sue Grills, could be frocking up big time as victory in Thursday’s feature would secure them a trip to Sydney on April 4 for the $300,000 final.

But as keen as Grills is to make Thursday’s line-up, particularly after Sweet Feet was allotted 56 kilos for the race, he’s been dealt a  blow in being number 19 on the ballot.

“We probably won’t get the chance of having a start as they’ll only start a field of 14,” Grills said.

“He’s a good honest big fellow and would do his best. And it will also depend on the draw he gets.

“It’s an absolute quality field.

“Leon Davies has a couple of handy ones, as have Rod Northam and Greg Bennett (Scone trainers). 

“Maso (Tamworth trainer Mark Mason) has a city winner too.”

Like many of the local trainers, Grills considers it an “incentive for country trainers” to have NSW Racing introduce this type of event onto the local calendar.

“This qualifier is only open to the local gallopers here, and means that city and provincial horses can’t come up and take it from us as they tend to do when big money is on offer.

“And to have it in Tamworth, on our own back doorstep, is great.”

Sweet Feet can boast three wins and three placings from his 15-start career. 

And he’s won two and been placed twice from four starts on the Tamworth circuit.

But certain to gain a start will be the Mason-trained Strictly Concert, who was allotted 56 kilos for the qualifier yesterday.

He can also boast three career wins but, unlike Sweet Feet, has yet to start on the track.

He’ll be resuming from a spell on Thursday but has won two from three first-up attempts. 

And he’ll also be fresh from barrier trials over 900m and 1000m at Muswellbrook and Gunnedah last month.