THE in-form Hayes training partnership are plotting another raid on Friday's Albury Gold Cup with progressive stayer Valac.
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Hayes has been a regular supporter of the Albury carnival and will be shooting for his third victory in the $180,000 feature after previous wins with Growl (2010) and Extra Zero (2012).
Valac finished runner-up behind Hang Man at Flemington last Saturday over the cup distance of 2000-metres.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Thunder Cloud ran third and is also set to target the cup.
Hayes' racing manager, Ryan Moore, yesterday confirmed Valac would be the sole nomination from the stable for Albury's premier race.
"Valac looks a likely starter," Moore said.
"It will be confirmed on Monday after he works but the Albury Cup is firmly on the radar.
"He is a horse that came to us from Ireland and was a maiden when he arrived.
"He won his maiden at Benalla over a mile and since then he has put a pretty good record together.
"He makes his own luck, he likes to sit on the speed and I have no doubt he will give it a real good shake."
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If he starts, Valac will attract plenty of attention in the mounting yard with the galloper almost completely white.
Valac boasts a consistent record of 22 starts for six wins and eights placings.
Nominations for the Albury Cup close on Monday with weights declared the following day.
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