ALBURY Gold Cup winner Niblick is set to defend his Listed National Sprint crown in Canberra on Sunday.
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The Brett Cavanough-trained galloper captured the feature sprint last year before handing Cavanough his first home-town feature at his next start.
Niblick resumed from a 19-week spell at Flemington last month and finished near the tail of the field as a $61-chance with the Albury Gold Cup once again his main target this preparation.
Cavanough, who has also nominated stablemate, Boys On Tour, for the Canberra sprint was unsure if Sunday’s race would be Niblick’s final hit-out before tackling Albury’s premier race on March 28.
“Niblick is still carrying a bit of condition and is still a couple of weeks off to where I want him to be fitness-wise,” Cavanough said.
“Depending on how he runs on Sunday, we might have to squeeze in another run before the Albury Cup.
“He still looks a bit new to the eye, so he might have a run on Sunday and then another quick back-up before the cup — I’m not sure.”
Reigning Southern District premiership winning jockey Nick Souquet has been booked for his first ride on the classy galloper while leading apprentice Jake Duffy will partner Boys On Tour.
Boys On Tour was formerly trained by John Thompson in Queensland and had two starts for Cavanough over the spring, finishing unplaced at Flemington and Caulfield.
The son of General Nediym resumes from a 22-week spell and is a multiple city winner.
“I’m pretty happy the way he has come back,” Cavanough said.
“It’s a bit of a guessing game but he might have the wood on Niblick at the minute.
“He’s looking very sharp in track work.”
Cavanough is also set to unleash his promising filly Scatcat in Canberra.
Scatcat resumes from a 13-week spell and the exciting filly rose to prominence last preparation, winning five races.
“She will only accept at Canberra if she draws an alley,” Cavanough said.
“Otherwise we might wait a week and head to Randwick for the Fireball Stakes over 1100-metres.”
Cavanough will also target Sunday’s Corowa Cup with stablemates Price Of Glory and Game Of Shadows.
Price Of Glory finished fourth in the Albury Gold Cup last year and is likely to return this year.