Fender raced on the speed and finished 2.8 lengths seventh in the $1.3 million Kosciuszko (1200m) last year as stablemate It's Me surged late to give Cavanough a thrilling first win in the richest race for country horses.

It's Me overcame an illness scare in the lead-up and a troubled run to claim the $735,000 cheque, but she was found to have a tendon injury post-race. She hasn't raced since and returns to Cavanough's stable on Monday.

Despite the time off, the unbeaten five-year-old mare is the $4.50 TAB favourite for the Kosciuszko. Cavanough said getting to the race would be a bonus.

"Everyone is really happy with her," Cavanough said.

"She's had a good preparation at the spelling and rehab farm, where they work them pretty hard rehabbing a tendon, so she comes back with a fair bit of work in her.

"She would have to come back spot on and trial up well [to go to the Kosciuszko], but I'm looking down the track a bit further to seven furlongs and a mile. It's not all about the Kosciuszko. If she makes it, that's a bonus.

"We've got a pretty good team [for the Kosciuszko].

"It's Me's back on Monday, we've got Fender, Patino Ruby, a filly called Water Dove that just got beat in a Highway by Art Cadeau, which is second or third favourite. And there's a pretty smart horse there called Street Power.

"This time last year, It's Me was still a maiden, so it's onwards and upwards from here and they've got to start producing."

Fender will push his claims for a Kosciuszko slot in the group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) on Saturday.

The five-year-old, a $15 Kosciuszko hope, is back after a freshen up following a third in the listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton on July 7. He has won six of 12 starts but is yet to break through in black-type races.

"I'm not sure what level he really is at but he hasn't disgraced himself in a couple of group and listed races," he said. "It's just a matter of winning one in his turn, unless he improves a bit more.

"He will be ridden a bit differently. He'll be ridden off the speed, we won't be up in the first four, we'll probably be in the last four.

"He might end up being a serious horse in the bottom end of the group 3, listed races. He might end up winning one, so we'll just test our hand and he'll probably improve off the run."

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has Never Talk and Zaniah in the other group 3 event on the card, the Toy Show (1100m) for fillies and mares.

Never Talk starts her four-year-old campaign after a rapid rise last season which featured a close second in the group 2 Light Fingers and third in the group 3 PJ Bell.

Lees was happy with how Never Talk had returned but he lamented the draw in 15.

"She's a quality mare but she might have her work cut out from the bad gate first-up, but either way I think she's in for a nice preparation," said Lees, who is eyeing the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle with Never Talk in November.

"She's a tough little filly and she'll appreciate no weight on her back, so there's a few positives there."

Never Talk has excelled on wet tracks, which she won't get on Saturday, but she has won both times first-up on good going.

"She won first-up last preparation at Newcastle and come from an impossible position," he said. "But it's a hot race, a really good bunch of mares."

He said Zaniah was likely racing for the last time before heading to stud.

"She's had a freshen, a tick-over trial in Queensland, where she's mainly been, and she's got back in here in good condition," he said.

"She's got that residual fitness, she's big odds but on her day she can produce those late sectionals."