Canberra trainer Matthew Dale has the firepower to capture a second $50,000 Snake Gully Cup at Gundagai on Friday.
Dale looks well placed to win his second Cup in the past three runnings with Lebrechaun and 2009 winner Happy Finish, but such is the quality of the race there are no shortage of chances.
Lebrechaun is first-up from a spell and has drawn gate seven while Happy Finish is directly outside him.
Dale said it won’t be easy for either of his runners, and purely because of race fitness he is leaning towards Happy Finish.
“He has had the one run back from a spell which will top him off for Friday,” Dale said.
“It’s a very strong race.”
Lebrechaun has it ahead of him with 60 kilograms but his record shows he is the best-performed runner in the Cup.”
The six-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing second last in the Wagga Cup in May, an absence of 27 weeks.
Astute Wodonga trainer Brian Cox has He’s An Angel in career-best form but he has come up with a wide draw in 14.
He’s An Angel won last start at the Bendigo Cup meeting following a fourth at Moonee Valley and a win in the Jerilderie Cup.
In early markets, He’s An Angel is the $4 favourite ahead of Capital Commander ($5) and the Dale duo which are both rated $7 chances.
Canberra trainer Nick Olive predicts Dale’s pair to be the horses to beat for his hope, Capital Commander.
“They have a bit of class about them,” Olive said.
Olive, who will miss Cup day as he is taking a week’s holiday to Canada, expects a big run from Capital Commander.
“She is a pretty handy horse on her day. It was a very big win last start to race three wide with 61 kilograms and win,” he said.
“I haven’t done a lot with her since. She feels tremendous and I’m very happy with her condition going into the race.”
AAP TURF
