That’s one of the thoughts of Tamworth trainer Mark Mason as he plays the waiting game with his talented gelding, who won at Tamworth at his last outing.

Unfortunately for Mason it wasn’t the Cup Prelude, which guaranteed Scone gelding It’s A Shamozzle a Cup start.

Strictly Concert is the third emergency for tomorrow’s Cup.

“We’ll see how it goes,”  Mason said.

“If he gets a run he’ll be more than competitive. 

“Robert (Thompson) has stuck with him too and is very happy to ride him again.”

While Thompson won on him last time out he also partnered him a few times elsewhere.

“He rode him one day at Wyong, finished second on a track that was a Heavy 10. He came from well back in the field that day too.”

So the state of the track holds no fears for Mason.

Just trying to get a run is his biggest worry.

“He’s been working well,” Mason said.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.

“Nick Olive (Canberra trainer) has two in it. One of them might come out. You never know.”

Mason won the Cup back in 2005 With Sir Winalot and, apart from Cody Morgan, who won the Cup with Prussian Secret in 2013, the only Tamworth trainer to have won the Cup since Merv Corliss won with Easingwold in 1974.

Thompson is also booked to ride last year’s Mornington winner Collar for his good mate, Cessnock trainer Jeremy Sylvester.

Collar, a $6 second favourite to Mornington Prelude winner Mullet Man, drew badly in 15.

Glenn Lynch rides Mullet Man in the Mornington and is aboard first emergency Tableaux in the Cup.

Three Tamworth-trained gallopers will be chasing victory – Monashee Woods (Sue Grills), Kurtley (Leon Davies) and Strictly Concert.

Monashee Woods is looking to add a further Cup to his resume after winning the Scone Christmas Cup, Inverell Cup, Moree Cup and Guyra Cup.