English import Havana Cooler is favourite to deliver Godolphin its first Wyong Gold Cup at the provincial club’s carnival meeting on Friday.
Havana Cooler was an eye-catching sixth to Cup rival Beyond Thankful at his Australian debut at Rosehill when he was forced to change course in the straight and finished resolutely to be beaten a half-length.
He will be ridden by Sam Clipperton in Friday’s $150,000 race for which he is the $3.20 favourite, just ahead of another overseas horse looking to make his mark.
Orbec, a Listed winner in France, finished second in the same Rosehill race in his first run for trainer John Thompson and is rated second pick at $4.
The pair will both carry the 54kg minimum, eight kilos less than topweight and 2014 Sydney Cup winner The Offer.
One of two runners for Gai Waterhouse along with Cafe Society, The Offer resumed with a classy performance in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury, his first victory since the Sydney Cup success.
Kris Lees is also set to have two runners with Oriental Lady, also accepted for Randwick on Saturday, set to join Slow Pace in the Wyong Cup.
“It’s a black type race and while Saturday’s race is possibly a bit easier she is a valuable mare,” Lees said.
The Wyong Cup is one of two Listed races at Friday’s meeting with the Waterhouse-trained Echo Gal favourite for the Mona Lisa Stakes.
