Unrealistic won the 2017 Dunkeld Cup with apprentice jockey Georgina Cartwright in the saddle and she has the ride again in the feature race on the eight-event program.

Withers spent hours on Wednesday afternoon walking the iconic track, which sits at the foot of the Grampians, in the lead up to the popular meeting.

"The track is in perfect condition," he said.

"I've got to give credit to the club for having the course and surrounds in such great shape.

"There's a beautiful cover of grass I'm sure all horses will be suited. It's always a great race meeting at Dunkeld.

"The club does a wonderful job considering they race only once a year."

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Unrealistic has not won a race since his 2017 Dunkeld Cup victory but Withers is unperturbed by the stat.

"Unrealistic is in good shape," the former Warrnambool Football Club coach said. "I thought his third placing in the Ararat Cup last week was a very good effort going into the Dunkeld Cup.

"We missed last year's Dunkeld Cup because Unrealistic had a bad bout of colic and a ruptured bowel. He had about four months on the sidelines after that mishap.

"I'm just glad he's back racing again. Georgina has a great understanding of the horse. He's a quirky type of horse who goes well for Georgina.

"I think he'll be better suited to the 1800 metres of the Dunkeld Cup then the 2000 metres of last week's Ararat Cup."

The first of eight races is scheduled to start at 1.16pm with the cup set down for decision at 4.56pm.

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