The five-year-old gelding, previously a winner at Muswellbrook, Randwick, Rosehill, Doomben and Eagle Farm, will contest the last in Sydney on Saturday.

It comes a fortnight out from the Kosciuszko (1200 metres), which Fender ran seventh in last year, and with seemingly just one of 14 slots still remaining.

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"He's spot on and ready to go to the races," Cavanough told the Newcastle Herald.

"He's drawn a good barrier but the only thing it's a bit late in the day bit late in day.

"He'll be an emergency if he doesn't make it (Kosciuszko), but if he does make it he'll shake the life out of them."

Fender last raced on August 21 and finished third in the listed Ramornie at Grafton on July 7.

Cavanough, who won last year's Kosciuszko with stable star It's Me, secured a 2021 position courtesy of four-year-old mare Patino Ruby this week.

"We all want to get one in that race. I'm not sure if she's as good as It's Me, but she's a good mare moving forward with similar form lines," he said.

Scone trainers Cameron Crockett (Mr Hussill), Stephen Jones (Nadaraja) and Rodney Northam (Spiranac) also have Kosciuszko runners. Australian Bloodstock has Edit in the race, but Mo's Crown is out injured.

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