If plucky mare Swamp Nation can defend her Country Championships crown at Tuncurry on Sunday it would mean the world to trainer Glen Milligan.

With the opportunity to steer a path towards the upcoming Newhaven Park Country Championship series, Boncassie ($3.60 favourite on TAB) is set to provide the testing material in the $65,000 GemLife Queen of the North at Port Macquarie on Friday.

Unlike a year ago, trainer Brett Bellamy can approach consistent mare Boncassie’s campaign with the confidence that she has done enough to make the field for next month’s Newhaven Park Northern Rivers Country Championships.