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Some horses race well when they travel; some don't. It seems Hawkesbury mare Dungannon falls into the latter category, which has much to do with trainer Richard Nutman opting to keep her at home for Sunday's meeting.

Nutman also accepted with Dungannon in a 1400m Maiden Handicap (1400m) at Broadmeadow tomorrow (Saturday) against her own sex and in a smaller line-up than the Calmsley Hill City Farm Maiden Plate (1300m) against the "boys". But home is where the heart is.

Nutman has withdrawn Dungannon from Newcastle, and his apprentice daughter Claire - who has ridden 62 winners - rides her at Hawkesbury. A significant move indeed as Nutman's 3kg claim means the mare will carry 54kg; 0.5kg less than the limit.

"I did nominate Dungannon for Newcastle when entries were extended for that race," Nutman explained today. "But the decision to stay at home was made for us when she drew barrier two at Hawkesbury. The mare just doesn't seem to go as well when we take her away from home.

"She failed at Wyong a few months ago and was unplaced in all four trials she contested at Warwick Farm and Rosehill. All her three placings to date have been at Hawkesbury. She ran third on debut at 80-1 last November."

Nutman trains Dungannon, a four-year-old by 2005 Caulfield Guineas winner God's Own, for a family syndicate that includes the recently retired legendary broadcaster Paul Ambrosoli. After being passed in for $18,000 at the 2012 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Dungannon was later sold at another sale for $1200. Three placings from only seven stars to date has returned $12,250 on that investment.

"Dungannon was named, but hadn't raced," Nutman said. "We took a punt on her and she has proved to be a good buy. But it would certainly be nice to win a race with her, hopefully this weekend. She looks well placed from the good draw and with Claire's claim."

Nutman has added blinkers to Dungannon's gear for Sunday's assignment: "She tends to stargaze in her races; I've always felt blinkers would help her," he said. He has freshened the mare since her latest eighth to Streaming By in an 1800m Maiden at Hawkesbury on September 11.

Pietra has been withdrawn from the maiden, providing emergency Kadota (Sam Clipperton) with a start.

Jockeys' premiership front-runner James McDonald may be missing from Sunday's meeting, but trainers' premiership leader Anthony Cummings is definitely in action, striving to boost his current tally of seven winners in this new season. Cummings will be represented by Nelamos (apprentice Koby Jennings) and Time To Strike (apprentice Hannah Martin) in the Kevin Waters Towing Benchmark 65 Handicap (1500m), Tactical Speed (Tye Angland) and Saffron Hill (apprentice Winona Costin) in the Masterton Homes Maiden Handicap (1600m) and Arabian Hawk (Angland), who opposes Dungannon.

Course manager Jeff Haynes this morning issued a "Dead 4" rating for Hawkesbury, with a penetrometer reading of 4.88. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.