Queensland hobby trainer Craig Cousins is riding a wave of excitement and nerves as his galloper The Inflictor prepares for the $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill.

“I’m excited, and normally if I’m excited and get a bit nervous, he always races well,” Cousins said.

By day, Cousins drives trucks delivering firewood and particle board around Brisbane, while training three horses from stables behind his 90-year-old mother’s home.

The Inflictor has been a life-changer, banking more than $700,000 and winning the Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) in June before finishing third behind Transatlantic in the Prelude (1500m) at Randwick.

Cousins admits the 1800m trip is a query but has faith in jockey Alysha Collett’s confidence.

“He’s coming here in good form and has done very well since his last run,” he said.

The longtime horseman says sharing a Group 1 stage with Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher is surreal.

“If he runs top three Saturday, I’ll be a very happy man,” Cousins said.