Wednesday, 12 September 2018: The Canberra-based Keith Dryden-Scott Collings training partnership is weighing up its options for last Saturday’s impressive TAB Highway Handicap winner Handle The Truth.

Canberra trainer Keith Dryden

Handle The Truth was nominated for this Saturday’s Highway at Randwick but the stable has decided not to back him up.

He’s not turned three yet on birthdates and we want to look after him,” co-trainer Keith Dryden said.

“There is something a bit better for him down the track.

“We’ll look at the programming but a tilt at the Tony Campbell Cup may be a possibility and another Highway in five or six weeks.”

Dryden welcomed Canberra’s return to Highway racing and believes the races are much better propositions for punters with Canberra-trained horses represented.

“Punters know that Canberra form is good form and they want to bet on reliable horses.”

Interestingly, the field for next Saturday’s Highway dropped away after acceptances, enabling five Canberra horses to get a run in the 15 horse field and is shapes as another competitive betting affair.

The Dryden-Collings partnership were clear-cut winners of the 2017-18 ACT Trainer Premiership and Dryden said they had targeted local meetings.

But with the prize money increase in NSW he said the stable will be travelling more this season.

“We will also be supporting Canberra as much as we can. We have an excellent training centre that directly and indirectly supports many people.

“My stable alone has 17 people on its books including vets and farriers and we probably spend $100,000 a year on feed alone. It’s something that people often don’t think about. “