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By Tony Megahey

It’s timely that the interminable bond between racing and Rugby League is exemplified with Wizard of Oz, a Chris Waller discard and bargain for Coffs Harbour-trainer Warren Gavenlock and connections into the Royal Randwick TAB (1100m) Highway on Saturday, an entrée to a tremendous day of Group racing.

Originally a $1.1 million Exceed and Excel flop, Wizard of Oz carried the iconic colours of the South Sydney red & green and rabbit logo for revival wins at Port Macquarie and Grafton.

Trainer Warren Gavenlock with his now retired Plonka. Image by Bradley Photographers

Gavenlock, who contended in regional features with his now retired Plonka, explained the circumstances as the traditional Rabbitohs confront premiers Panthers on Thursday night to lock in the finals in a mighty contest.

“Peter Colley with Greenhaven Park Stud is a mad Souths supporter - he rang the club after the purchase for approval to use the rabbit logo, and this gelding has finally produced for them,” Gavenlock explained.

Wizard of Oz ($26 on TAB) is a nine-race Waller maiden sacking and carries 58kg for Jason Collett into a Class 2, $100,000 flyer.

“He's bred to be anything by that sire out of a Frankel mare (Dream in Colour, GB) but never any guarantees they’ll bring it to the racetrack,” offered the five-decade trainer.

“He lost form completely after he ran third in a Listed race in Melbourne at his first prep then couldn’t win a maiden for a champion trainer.

“Came here with minor issues, nothing serious. Bit of a wind sucker, always hungry, couldn’t feed him enough.

“Raymond Spokes, my stable rider said ‘for the education he’s had, it’s like he’s forgotten, knows nothing'.

“So we spelled him and started all over. Eventually his work improved lengths trialled nicely and brought it to the races, pretty clever wins.

“Raymond deserves all the credit, rode him a treat both wins.”

And no regrets from Spokes that he makes way for Collett: “Raymond told me he didn’t want to travel for one ride in Sydney on an outsider to be disappointed when he’d have a full book and a decent pay day back home.

“The horse is up in grade, but I couldn’t be happier where he’s at. Race fit winning form and some of the strong form is drawn out.

“We’ve drawn to possie in a pressure race, get out at the right time in a big field if he’s good enough.”

It’s all about finding their level back in country racing and Gavenlock has done that brilliantly and likely more to come after just three starts for the new stable.

After lumping 60kg and 61kg for wins, the gelding is appealing weighted with 58kg where Riverina’s Participator is $3.70 equal favourite for respected Tim Donnelly but has drawn a disastrous barrier 16.

Participator went amiss after spectacular home wins and fourth as a short-priced favourite for Hugh Bowman in a Highway at headquarters.

The gelding was scratched with issues when prominent in the markets for the Newhaven Park Country Championships and resumed from a five-month spell in a Wagga trial two weeks ago.

The other equal $3.70 favourite is Bandi's Boy trained at Goulburn by Danny Williams with his other pair Brazen Impact ($16) and Jalmari ($18) also having strong chances.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here