Handle The Truth delivered Dryden with a big race win in 2019 when taking out The Kosciuszko but the stable has never had a runner in the Randwick’s $1 million country feature during The Championships in April.
Dryden, who now trains in partnership with Libby Snowden, admits the last few months has been a tough time for the stable but was rapt to bag the SERA Country Championships Qualifier (1400m).
“We’ve had a run trot lately since Libby and I joined up,” Dryden told Sky Racing.
“We’ve only had one winner but I’m so happy for Libby and the staff.”
Sunchyme was able to hold off Cable Express from the Danielle Seib stable with both horses now qualified for the Final on April 5.
Dryden indicated the plan with the five-year-old daughter of Zoustar is to give her a bit of time in the paddock before unleashing for the grand final.
“She’ll have a few weeks off now and I’ll think about what the plan is next with her,” Dryden said.
“We’ll make our decision after I speak to the owner and see how she pulls up as well.”
Kimberley Secrets and Super Norwest were considered the leading chances in the race but both failed to fire and finished a long way off the placings.
Third home was Sass ‘N’ Cheek from the Pat Murphy yard while Ticklebelly, trained by Scott Collings, loomed as the winner before fading to run fourth.