ALBURY Racing Club has attracted another quality field for Friday’s Listed Albury Gold Cup after some of the nation’s biggest stables accepted with runners for the $170,000 feature yesterday.
Leading Melbourne trainers David Hayes, Michael Moroney and Michael Kent along with Sydney trainer Peter Snowden all have starters.
Hayes will be chasing his third cup in four years after he captured his first in 2010 with Growl and again last year with Extra Zero.
The Hall of Fame trainer has a two-pronged attack with last-start Flemington winner Auld Burns and consistent mare Rock Robster.
Auld Burns will have to overcome barrier 13 with regular stable rider Chad Schofield to ride.
Sydney-based hoop Nathan Berry will partner stablemate Rock Robster.
Snowden and Kent will have their first Albury cup runners.
Club chief executive John Miller said the listed race had once again attracted quality nominations.
“It shapes as another highly competitive cup with no obvious standout,” Miller said.
“Once again it’s pleasing to be able to attract runners from NSW, Victoria and Canberra.
“Having the Snowden and Kent stables target the race for the first time is also a coup for the club.
“It should be a great race.”
Some of the gloss was taken off the final field after Team Williams was a non-acceptor with Practiced.
Local trainers are well represented with Brett Cavanough, Brian Cox, Mick Hartney, Kerry Weir, Jodie Bohr and Sylvia Thompson all having starters.
Cavanough has top-weight and last-start National Sprint winner Niblick alongside stablemate Price Of Glory.
Matthew Cahill will partner Niblick and is the most successful jockey of the modern era after wins aboard Barrakee (1998), Ekalaka (2002) and Prime Century (2005).
Cavanough is still chasing his first home-town feature.
Canberra raider Coliseo will also attract plenty of support after winning last year’s Wagga Gold Cup and was runner-up in the Canberra Cup at his most recent start.
