A horse which helped announce Trevor Bailey's arrival from Queensland can go a long way to confirming the wisdom of the move at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Numerically, Harada Bay looks below par going into the Qualitex Handicap but Bailey is certain the three-year-old is in the same form which netted a Newcastle plunge win and a city success at the start of the racing season.

Bailey shifted his training operation from the Gold Coast to Newcastle 18 months ago and he made an impression during the two-day Newcastle Gold Cup, landing Harada Bay a well-backed winner.

But it's been mostly a season of consolidation as he tries to establish a competitive stable in a new state.

"We've had to start from scratch with our numbers but it's been a good move," Bailey said.

"Making a go of it in Sydney can be hard because it's where every trainer wants to be."

Harada Bay will be out to make up for a last-start four-length 10th to Kurtley in the Grafton Guineas.

While Kurtley, who is again among Wednesday's opposition, had gaps open at the right time in the feature race, Harada Bay was barely tested on the heels on runners.

"He probably wasn't the only horse in the race which didn't have a lot of luck but he certainly should have been in the finish," Bailey said.

"I'm sure the horse is going just as well now as before he went out. There's nothing to be disappointed about him."

Nash Rawiller will try to continue his end-of-season charge towards the jockeys' title with a full book of seven rides.

Rawiller is 1-1/2 wins behind High Bowman who will be watching on because of suspension.

Early market framers had two Rawiller mounts - Fullerton and Omniscient - as opening favourites while his only ride for trainer Gai Waterhouse, the unbeaten two-year-old Houston, will also be strongly fancied.