Not a Shadow “very nearly died” 12 months ago and has done extraordinarily well since to be a last start winner going into Dubbo’s big event.

“He picked up some sort of virus a year ago and we couldn’t get a handle on it,” Nestor revealed.

“They did all sorts of tests and some went to Melbourne but came back with no result. 

“I reckon he was given every type of antibiotic available but he just didn’t come right.

“His temperature was 41.5 degrees for five days straight and the vet said he shouldn’t be alive.”

But Not a Shadow was not going to lie down and gradually got better. “I don’t think he’s quite the same horse although his win the other day gave us encouragement.”

Not a Shadow, a four-year-old, carried 59kg to victory at Coonamble (1300m) on March 3 and was open to further improvement, that being just his second run back from a year off.

“Although it was a long time since he’d had a race start, he disappointed us a little when sixth at Dubbo first-up,” Nestor said.

“But he redeemed himself with his Coonamble win. He’s bound to be further improved and hopefully he is now on an upward spiral.”

Nestor is hoping for back-to-back wins in the Country Championships qualifier at Dubbo, having prepared Dane de Lago to win the race by half a length in 2015.

Sunday week, March 27, represents the ‘last chance tickets’ to the $400,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick with the first two home at Muswellbrook’s ‘Wild Card’ going on to receive their ‘ticket’ in the big one at Randwick.

Local galloper Artlee snuck into the Randwick race last year via the ‘Wild Card’ and went on to blitz the opposition in the final less than a week later with Mitchell Bell aboard. 

*This preview of The Championships is brought to you by Racing NSW. Mark Brassel writes for Racing NSW Magazine, racingnsw.com.au and thechampionships.com.au