Christen Me has copped the worst draw of the three New Zealand representatives, with Terror To Love set to begin from barrier six after withdrawals, while Dalgety's other runner Bit Of A Legend will leave the gate from four.
Christen Me has taken time to recover from Saturday's staying test, which Dalgety describes as one of his charge's best runs.
"He was 'shagged' the next day - we know that," he said.
"It was a funny race - he finished fourth and looked disappointing but it was probably one of the better efforts he put in all his life. When you look at the other three mid-race movers, they were all 30 to 40m behind [the field]."
Dalgety says a little more time between two tough tests would have been preferable. "With the timing of going into the Interdoms, we'd love two weeks [between the Hunter Cup and the heats].
"But because of the way it's set up, we have to go to Menangle for the supplementary heat.
"We've had to race, lie down for two days, have a 10-hour road trip then race again this Saturday.
"So it's a little bit of a task but we can't do anything about it, we've just got to do the best we can."
Despite the short turnaround and draw, Australian bookies have opened Christen Me at $1.75 to win ahead of Terror To Love ($3.80).
Defending champion Beautide is at $2.10 to win the New South Wales heat after drawing three, after withdrawals, ahead of Suave Stuey Lombo at $3.
Dalgety has put Art Union's Victoria Derby disaster well behind him as he eyes up heats for the New South Wales classic next week.
Art Union's Derby hopes were dashed when Artistic Flite locked sulky stays with him and the pair finished a distant last.
"The way the race unfolded with where he was and what he was doing, we were confident he would run third.
"All we can do is pick up our toys and have another go for the New South Wales Derby with the heats next week."
