But he is sweating on the acceptances for the $25,000 Sheffield Cup to see if they get a start.

Brunton missed the original nomination deadline with Royal Rapture, Streetwise Savoire and Lander Dollar.

They were included in the field after nominations were extended but, as late entries, will be the first eliminated if a ballot is required.

As it stands, if all the entries accept for the race, the Brunton trio will be the three emergencies.

‘‘I will run all three if they get a start,’’ the trainer said yesterday.

‘‘They are all heading towards the Devonport Cup and I think the Sheffield Cup is the best lead-up race.

‘‘It will give them almost two weeks between runs.

‘‘If they have to wait for the weight-for-age race at Mowbray (on December 31) they will only have one week between runs.’’

The $100,000 Devonport Cup is on Wednesday, January 7.

Royal Rapture ran third in the Devonport Cup last season and is topweight for the Sheffield Cup with 59 kilograms.

Streetwise Savoire has 58kg and Lander Dollar is on the minimum with 54kg.

Brunton is chasing his first Devonport Cup win after several placings.

His father David won the race in 2006 with Bay Ritz.

On target

STABLE star Banca Mo continues to please Scott Brunton as he progresses towards the $225,000 Hobart Cup on February 9.

‘‘He’s going fantastic,’’ the trainer said.

‘‘He will run in next week’s Tasmanian Stakes then a fortnight later I’m going to trial him over 1600m on the Elwick course proper.

‘‘The Brighton Cup is on that week but a 2100m race at that stage of his preparation is not a good fit.

‘‘He will have his final lead-up race in the Summer Cup (2200m) on January 25.

‘‘That will see him go into the Hobart Cup at his fifth run back which should be perfect for him.’’

Banco Mo’s first two runs since a spell have been a fast-finishing fourth in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and a close third to Geegees Blackflash and Pitt Street in last week’s Conquering Stakes (1400m).

Lad cleared

PROMISING stayer Genuine Lad has been cleared to run in the Sheffield Cup after having a race ban lifted.

The four-year-old was stood down pending a satisfactory trial after he veered sharply to the outside of the track during the closing stages of the Golden Mile at Spreyton on December 7.

Stewards reported that he passed a barrier trial at Longford last week.

On debut

The Launceston Pacing Club has received an outstanding response to the opening two-year-old race of the season.

The $10,000 Keith Stanley Debutante Stakes at Mowbray on Sunday has attracted 11 acceptors.

The race has been postponed several times in recent years due to lack of numbers and last season had only seven runners.

Sunday’s field includes seven horses that have won trials, including the Kent Rattray-trained Karalta Boomer who is in unbeaten in three appearances.

Paul Hill, who supplied last season’s top two-year-old Jerrys Jet, will have two runners including multiple trial winner Hillview Jake.

The seven-race meeting also features two heats of the Harry Holgate Memorial leading into a $10,000 final on January 9.

Devonport has eight races at its Boxing Night meeting, featuring the Gwen Williams Patrons Marathon.

Fair go

Standing-start races have their place on the harness calendar provided ALL the horses are ‘‘standing’’ when the field is released.

To allow one horse to be moving forward at the start and get ‘‘a fly’’, as happened in Hobart on Sunday, is clearly not acceptable.