Bettor's Strike will have a lead-up race to the Hunter Cup in a $A5000 free-for-all at Melton on Friday night.
"It is really a glorified trial for him," Cran Dalgety, his trainer, said from Melbourne last night.
Gavin Lang will drive Bettor's Strike if he gains a release from Jaccka Sandy.
Bettor's Strike remained in Australia at the Lang stable after winning the Tasmanian Cup on December 27.
Dalgety was unable to make suitable travel arrangements for Bettor's Strike to return to West Melton.
Bettor's Strike had won the Victoria Cup and Cranbourne Cup (dead heat) at his previous two starts.
The $A400,000 Hunter Cup is at Moonee Valley on February 6.
Dalgety has Dustin Bromac, Holy Hero and About Ambition in the race for junior drivers at Addington on Friday night. Stable driver Dexter Dunn has opted for Holy Hero.
Nathan Williamson is on Dustin Bromac, a winner at Oamaru last week.
Robert Butt is driving About Ambition.
Dunn drove three winners at Wyndham yesterday to take his tally to 86 wins for the season, 19 clear of nearest rival David Butcher.
Dunn has been confirmed as a South Island representative in the Australasian Young Drivers Championship in New South Wales in March.
He has won nine races and amassed 118 points in the New Zealand qualifying competition.
