Trainer Travis Doudle has his consistent gelding Not Usual Glorious on track for a return to the Swan Hill Cup, a race he won in 2023, but the route he takes to get there remains dependent on the weather.

The rising nine-year-old is nominated for two races at Sandown this Saturday — a benchmark 84 over 1600m carrying 62.5kg and a benchmark 100 over 1800m where he’s set to carry just 54.5kg.

However, Doudle has made it clear that he’s not committed to running at Sandown unless the track conditions are favourable.

“I will keep an eye on progressive acceptances and see how the races are unfolding and then I’ll be keeping an eye on the weather,” Doudle said. “The wetter better for him.”

Not Usual Glorious resumed earlier this month with a strong win at Warrnambool on soft ground and continues to thrive in his work since then. He galloped well on Tuesday morning, leaving Doudle with confidence about his form.

“He’s in a really good place at the moment,” Doudle said. “Swan Hill is his main goal. If it does get wet for their carnival, we know he loves those conditions.”

While Sandown remains a possible stepping stone, Doudle is also open to heading straight to Swan Hill if the conditions aren’t suitable this weekend.

The stable is also weighing up a potential trip to Sydney, where wet tracks could suit, but the travel logistics make it a tough call.

“It’s about a 14-hour trip if you cut up through the middle,” Doudle said. “That’s probably what stops us going up there more than I would like.”

To follow Not Usual Glorious on his winter campaign and view the latest odds for the Swan Hill Cup, check out Australia’s top betting sites.