Loyalist finished 11m behind Betterzippit in the Nullarbor and has since performed well at the top level in Queensland.

He's set to line up in this Friday's J.P. Stratton Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park, following his unplaced first-up run behind Better Eclipse in the Kilmore Cup.

Trainer Joe Connolly said Loyalist, a winner of the Redcliffe Gold Cup (2613m) in June, was a much better placed heading to Perth the second time around.

"He's been really good and has actually improved, if anything," Connolly told The Trots WA.

"I was told a trip away strengthens horses and he's come back a stronger horse.

"All of his runs in Queensland were really good and his trial at Menangle last month was also good.

"Going in first-up at Kilmore, I wanted to test him at that level and get to know where he's at.

"His sectionals were good, and he ran alongside Rock N Roll Doo on the line."

The six-year-old arrived at Mike Reed's Henley Brook stables overnight, the same place he stayed earlier this year.

Connolly said Reed played a big role in getting him to commit to a WA Pacing Cup campaign instead of a shot at the New Zealand Cup.

"I nominated him for New Zealand and each time on the rankings he was around the 16 or 17 mark," he said.

"There's 15 that run in the race, and I was running out of time to force the issue to get him a start.

"I called Mike and told him I was thinking of coming back west and he said I was mad if I don't."

Loyalist was one of 28 nominations for Friday's $100,000 event.

Last start James Brennan Memorial winner Jumpingjackmac heads up the nominations and is joined by stablemates Diego, Wildwest and Prince Of Pleasure.

Greg and Skye Bond have eight runners nominated for the Group 2 event, headlined by Steel The Show and Tenzing Bromac.

Magnificent Storm, Mighty Ronaldo and Wonderful To Fly were some of the other notable nominations.

Connolly said he hoped to have Loyalist peaking for the WA Pacing Cup but was confident he would be forward enough to make a statement this week.

"Last time it took him five or six days before he came out of his shell again," he said.

"He may not be right at his best this Friday, but he will still run a reasonable race and be peaking on Pacing Cup night.

"I'd like him to prove himself this Friday and cement his position in the Pacing Cup field.

"Looking at the criteria, he's done enough to warrant a start, but you can't be too complacent."

Seaton Grima will head to Perth to drive the son of Bettors Delight this Friday.