The race's 14 sweepstakes ticket winners were drawn on Wednesday and the new slot-holders moved quickly to fill most of the field for the October 17 event at Randwick for country-trained horses.

Muswellbrook galloper Two Big Fari was among the first to be snapped up. Howlett and Two Big Fari's owner James Hack made a deal with nearby Davali Thoroughbreds at Luskintyre.

"It was good," Howlett said of gaining an early deal. "And they were good people too, from just down the road at the Davali horse stud. Two Big Fari has spent a little bit of time there spelling.

"I think it makes it better that they're locals and we know them, and they've got an association with the horse as well."

Two Big Fari, a winner six times and runner-up twice from nine starts, remained the $7 second elect with TAB Fixed Odds after the frantic grab for spots on Wednesday.

The five-year-old gelding's only time out of the top two was when a half-length away fifth in the Country Championship Final (1400m) at Randwick in April. He has had just one start since when a length winner at Grafton over 1200m in July in a class six.

Howlett has long planned to run his stable star first-up in the Kosciuszko and he was pleased with his progress. He will head to Newcastle for his only trial on September 23.

"I couldn't be happier with him and everything is going the right way," he said.

"His fresh run at Grafton, he was very good there. I know this is a much stronger race but I think he's a better fresh horse at that distance.

"If we had him two or three runs in, he'd be looking for further. He'd be a bit dour."

Two Big Fari was sidelined this time last year after a having a bone chip removed from his knee following his maiden win at Tamworth. Since the setback, he has thrived.

"Every time he's come back in, he's just got better. He just amazes me," Howlett said.

The trainer said Grant Buckley would likely keep the ride on Two Big Fari.

Another to gain a slot early was unbeaten mare It's Me, trained at Scone by Brett Cavanough, who gained a second hope in the race - Fender - late on Wednesday.

The local link continued when Cody Morgan-trained Ligulate and Anethole, both owned by Hunter-based Australian Bloodstock, gained starts. Anethole went to a Warabrook TAB customer. Morgan also has Ice In Vancouver in the race.

Also securing slots were favourite Front Page, defending champion Handle The Truth, Redouble, Man Of Peace and Intuition, leaving three spots available late on Wednesday.

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