Bel Dancer nearly caused a huge boilover in the opening race on Albury Gold Cup day when she loomed up and looked likely to go past unbackable favourite Subservient, who just fell in despite starting at $1.35.

The 4-year-old mare hasn’t raced since, with Maher targeting today’s $15,000 Maiden Plate (1200m), which carries a $20,000 Vobis Gold Bonus.

“She should be hard to beat hopefully,” Maher said.

“Her last couple of runs have been full of merit and she will get her chance to break through today on her home track.

“I haven’t run her since Albury Cup day because she is Vobis Gold qualified and have had this race in mind for her since then.

“Over a month between runs is the obvious query, but she has been doing plenty of work and I would be disappointed if she wasn’t in the finish.”

Bel Dancer is having her fifth run this preparation and will be ridden by Albury hoop Simon Miller.

Maher also looks to have a strong chance in the $15,000 Benchmark 64 Hcp (1400m) with last-start winner Churchill’s Speech.

Churchill’s Speech cruised to an all-the-way win at Benalla earlier this month and looks even better suited back on his home track.

“He won well at Benalla but is stepping up in grade from a Benchmark 58 to a Benchmark 64, which is the query,” he said.

“While it’s a harder race, I think he could be a horse on the up and had only had a few runs in his career.

“He is a rising five-year-old and has taken a long time to mature.

“He is a big lump of a horse but I’ve got a bit of time for him and hopefully he can measure up to the jump in grade today.”

Churchill’s Speech will be ridden by apprentice Nick Heywood and drops to 56kg after a 3kg claim.

He is a big lump of a horse but I’ve got a bit of time for him and hopefully he can measure up to the jump in grade today. PETER MAHER