The four-year-old has his confidence up with successive Benchmark 64 wins at Gosford and Hawkesbury and has his sights set on a hat-trick in the Ghaiyyath First Yearlings Handicap (2110m).

While Owen County does hold a nomination for the Group 1 Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m), where he was allocated 50kg, Widdup is looking to hit the pause button in favour of easier targets post-autumn.

"I'll probably give him this run and freshen him up for the winter, I don't want to go too much deeper now it's carnival time,'' Widdup said.

"We've given him a nice slow preparation to get him out to these distances and, unfortunately, we've run out of time with the carnival being here.

"There should be more opportunities during the winter. He likes a bit of cut of the ground and there'll be more suitable races."

Owen County joined Widdup from John Sargent late last year and when he scored at Gosford, his first win since May 2022, it was his first attempt at 2000m and beyond since he finished midfield in Sharp 'N' Smart's Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.

"To be fair to Sarge he always wanted to get him there but he had a setback,'' Widdup said.

"He was always destined for this and I think he's a horse that'll run 2400m on his ear."

The margin in Owen County's Hawkesbury win was only narrow but he circled the field from last and was able to hold off King Kikau to score.

Widdup said the Dundeel gelding is still a work in progress but feels he's returning to city company at the right time with his tail in the air and can only expect him to hold his form.

Kerrin McEvoy rides the horse again on Wednesday, he was $5.50 with TAB on Tuesday, and he'll drop 1.5kg on his last start win.

"His manners are getting better, he doesn't help himself a little bit as he can race a little keen,'' he said.

"When he switches off and finds the right spot he seems to finish off well.

"He's very fit, there's no worries there. He's drawn well so hopefully he can get a soft run."

Meanwhile, Widdup said he'll likely send unbeaten filly Confess Our Dreams around in Saturday's Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick instead of her Warwick Farm engagement.

3. Johnny The Kid goes on top in a race where betting will be a good pointer. He's trialled up well enough on two occasions over the short course and he should relish getting out over a bit more ground under race conditions. Expect he'll be on pace and giving a good sight.

Dangers: 1. Bengal is a brother to the handy Mumbai Muse and he's on debut after two trials. Held together in the latest with no real sign of what's there. Finds Jmac to ride to one to keep very safe. 10. Canpikapony also steps out for the first time on the back of a couple of recent trials including a win over 900m at Rosehill last week. Draws well and one of the chances. 9. Turbinado has race experience from an all the way win at Newcastle over 900m as a $1.55 favourite. Wasn't dominant but got the job done. Since trialled, wide barrier a minus but the start at this trip is pretty fair.

How to play it: Johnny The Kid WIN.

3. Eclipsion had some support at his only start at Pakenham where he raced four deep without cover and went down under three-quarters of a length. Draws the inside this time, McDonald to ride and should have some upside. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Autumnmation looked the winner last week at Rosehill only to be swamped by a stablemate in the last few strides. She's racing well without winning and has another chance to break through. 2. Blacklist is an interesting runner as his debut here on Australia Day was something of a non-event when he was badly checked early in the straight. Given some time and bears close watching. 1. Pasima is yet to miss a place in five starts and just failed at Canterbury a month ago. Hard to leave out of discussions.

How to play it: Eclipsion WIN; Trifecta 3/1,2,4/1,2,4.

9. Buba is a super consistent mare who broke through with a very easy win back in grade at Gosford a couple of weeks ago. Had been going okay in this sort of grade and while she will need the race to pan out for her she's an each-way chance.

Dangers: 10. Little Baia had a nice run and managed to hold them off to score over 1550m at Canterbury fourth-up. Up in grade a bit here and back in trip but she's rarely far away and has claims in an open race. 3. Amati has been thereabouts without winning, thought she had her chance last time out at Canterbury. Draws gate one for the fifth time in her last six start and stays under notice. 8. Tycoon Jenny has led and boxed on fairly to run fourth in both runs for the Waterhouse/Bott stable. Gets out to 1400m now and if she gets some control she could take running down.

How to play it: Buba EACH-WAY.

3. Owen County has struck his best form since he's stretched out in distance and while his latest win was narrow he did plenty of work looping the field. Draws to get a nice run here and only has to hold his form to be around the mark again.

Dangers: 4. Fleet Commander was a Kensington winner after chasing home Owen County then led and just failed to hold on at Canterbury two weeks ago. Racing in good form and is one of the chances. 5. Piraeus is getting close to a win and just failed as an odds-on favourite at Canberra after he made a mid race move to get into the race. Go well here. 2. Notabadbuy beat Piraeus in that race and as he's the likely leader here he's hard to leave out of the main chances.

How to play it: Owen County EACH-WAY

2. Cape Byron is flying this time in and while he's up in class now he's looked strong and there's every chance he could go on with it. Dominant at Newcastle a month ago and sure to be hitting the line again. Good each-way chance.

Dangers: 1. Piercing Arrow hasn't raced since an all the way win on debut here back in May. Trials have been okay but did bump into Phearson in the latest which isn't a bad guide. Must be respected. 5. Winston Hills was an odds-on favourite and proved a bit too good breaking through at Kembla about six weeks ago. Since trialled nicely and is worth keeping an eye on. 3. McHale showed a bit of promise early with an impressive debut win and wasn't disgraced in a couple of subsequent starts. Has been gelded and draws soft so pay to keep safe.

How to play it: Cape Byron EACH-WAY.

2. Ebony King did quite a good job off the outside gate at Canterbury recently only to be run down by one sneaking up inside him late. Has a better set up from the draw this time and he should be harder to beat.

Dangers: 4. Oceans One might be a small query at the 1200m but he didn't give up the chase last time at Canterbury over the 1100m beaten just over half a length. Hard to fault him and if he ticks the distance box he'll go close. 9. French Marine is back a notch in class after an even effort in a BM78 at Canterbury. Fair to say he had his chance but he's still down in the weights after the claim and worth including. 3. Able Willie is a bit hit and miss so he's very much a take on trust horse. Not exposed in his two trials but does have James McDonald to ride so he's sure to have support. Wouldn't leave him out but couldn't be confident either.

How to play it: Ebony King WIN; Trifecta 2/3,4,9/3,4,9.

4. Biographer is a handy sprinter who rarely runs a bad race and looks to have come up nicely based on his couple of trial wins. Only start this course ran second to Our Kobison and this race sets up well for him to be right in the finish.

Dangers: 13. Wild Botanica started $1.80 when missing a place at Canterbury second-up but there were excuses given how the track was playing. First-up second to Shezanalister here is good form and she's the logical threat. 5. Disneck had mixed form last time in but has trialled well in the past month and has a nice soft draw to resume from. On his best he's right in the finish. 7. Elegant Empress led and fought on well for third in the same race as Wild Botanica in what was her first test at this sort of level. Sure to be in the firing line for a long way.

How to play it: Biographer WIN; Trifecta 4/5,7,13/5,7,13.

8. Time Quest is a promising type who just failed when resuming at Randwick in a race controlled by the winner. Will be a lot fitter for that and don't mind him drawn out as it's a straight run to the turn. Should be hard to hold off.

Dangers: 6. Port Lockroy hasn't raced since a solid fifth in the Spring Champion Stakes back in October. Went through the grades well in that prep and while drawn out, again that's not such a big deal. Pay to keep safe. 5. Cadetship enjoyed the run of the race and while he was left in front a fair way out he held them off nicely to score an overdue win at Rosehill last week. Good chance if he backs up. 2. Starman has some excellent form around his string of placings of late and if he can find the right run in transit he's a major player again.

How to play it: Time Quest WIN; Trifecta 8/2,5,6/2,5,6.