Albury Racing Club president John Miller after the Gold Cup barrier draw yesterday. Favourite Coliseo drew favourably in barrier three. Picture: DAVID THORPE
THE Norm Gardner-trained Coliseo has been installed as favourite for Friday’s $170,000 Listed Albury Gold Cup with TAB Sportsbet Fixed Odds.
The Canberra galloper was beaten in his home-town cup at his most recent run and was the winner of last year’s Wagga Gold Cup.
In what shapes as a competitive betting race, TAB Sportsbet opening market has Coliseo as the $4.60 favourite.
Coliseo has drawn ideally in barrier three with Wagga Cup winning jockey Jeff Penza to ride.
Penza and Gardner have never previously targeted the Border’s richest race.
Colieseo is a 2000-metre specialist with two wins and four minor placings.
The Peter Snowden-trained Peck is quoted second favourite at $5 and has the tricky barrier of 11 to overcome in the 16-horse field.
Peck has finished unplaced in two runs on his home track at Warwick Farm since resuming from a 17-week spell early last month.
Jockey Christian Reith will take his first Albury cup mount with Snowden also never previously having had a starter in the feature race.
The David Hayes-trained Auld Burns and leading local hope Niblick share the third line of betting at $6.
Topweight Niblick is trained by local trainer Brett Cavanough, who is looking to become the first local trainer to capture the cup since Richard Freyer in 2004.
Niblick was a last-start winner of the National Sprint on Canberra Cup day with James McDonald aboard in the galloper’s first start for the Cavanough stable.
No other runner is quoted under double figures.
The Michael Moroney-trained Crimson Lady, Natch Catch and Rock Robster are all on the next line of betting at $15.
Prince Pedro and Onthelookout have been installed $5.50 equal favourites for tomorrow’s $50,000 City Handicap (1400m).
Onthelookout finished second in the Albury feature last year behind Vilakazi Street.