Gwenda Markwell remains unsure whether she will fly the flag for the Illawarra in The Gong on Saturday.
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The Kembla Grange trainer's Esteem Spirit was among 25 nominations announced on Monday for Wollongong's richest horse race.
However, Markwell was the only local trainer to nominate for the million dollar race.
A stablehand confirmed Markwell still hadn't made up her mind as she waited to see The Gong's field, set to be announced on Wednesday, and Saturday's weather forecast. It is understood Esteem Spirit prefers a heavy track.
The stablehand reported the five-year-old gelding might instead run in the Benchmark 88 Handicap over 1600m on Saturday.
Esteem Spirit's recent record includes saluting in the first heat of the Class 5 Provincial Summer Series (1400m) at Kembla Grange last weekend.
The gelding also finished Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm on September 18.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
