Five stayers have almost doubled numbers from an original Winter Cup entry and one of them will present his new trainer with perhaps the biggest challenge in racing.
A week after trainer Tony Newing and his owner Steve Clarke parted with $33,000 to buy Wazn at a tried-horse sale, they are making plans to run the stayer in the Queensland Cup.
But they could give themselves a chance for an even quicker return at Rosehill on Saturday after Wazn's name was included among extended nominations for the $100,000 Listed race.
Wazn is one of the many European stayers Chris Waller has imported to Australia and he more than paid his way for Sydney's leading trainer with last year's Wyong Gold Cup victory a highlight among six wins.
It's been an indifferent run of form since with Wazn out of the placings in seven subsequent starts but Newing is happy to pick up from where Waller, a trainer with a second-to-none record with staying-bred imports, has left off.
"I bought the horse more for the opportunity than anything," Newing said.
"Reading between the lines I think the horse reached his grade with Chris and he wasn't expecting him to do anything further.
"I just want to see if I can switch him back on.
"He's definitely going to Brisbane to run in the Queensland Cup and I just worry he might do too well before now and the fifth (of July) so that's why I decide to nominate him."
After already having three entries, Waller has boosted his representation after nominating Permit.
In the middle of a lean run like his ex-stablemate, Permit has also been entered for a 2500-metre race at Flemington on Saturday.
Victorian stayer Zabeelionaire is a late entry as trainer Leon Corstens covers his options in search of a dry track for the 2012 South Australian Derby winner.
Zabeelionaire ran fifth to La Amistad in the McKell Cup at Randwick last month before finishing midfield on a rain-affected surface at Flemington.
Provincial-trained stayers Strike Me Lucky and Rapa Nui are also additional Winter Cup entries.