THE Anthony Freedman-trained Ambitious will have to set a modern day weight carrying record if successful in Friday's $180,000 Albury Gold Cup.
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As expected, Ambitious was allocated top-weight of 62 kilograms and, with a rating of 107, is among the highest-rated horses to ever nominate for the Listed feature.
Hofmeister set the modern day weight record to win the 2007 cup with 61 kilograms when partnered by champion hoop Damien Oliver.
Ginga Dude is the only other galloper to be allocated more than 60 kilograms, when he finished seventh behind Paddy O'Reilly in 2011.
Ambitious is also nominated for the Mornington Cup on Saturday and has been allocated 60 kilograms.
Freedman's racing manager Brad Taylor yesterday said Ambitious would be a non-starter for his hometown feature and would definitely target the Albury Gold Cup.
"Ambitious will accept for the Albury Gold Cup," Taylor said.
"We have decided against racing in the Mornington Cup and will target Albury instead.
"We did our research before the race and spoke to the handicapper and it was explained to us that he would get that weight.
"But with his rating and the field he is up against - he obviously deserves to get the 62-kilogram maximum.
"James Winks is booked to ride."
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Ambitious is among the best credentialled stayers to ever nominate for the Albury Gold Cup.
The Japanese import had his first start in Australia a year ago in the Australian Cup won by Harlem where he finished near the tail of the field.
Ambitious improved sharply at his next run to finish runner-up in the group 1 $1.5 milllion Tancred Stakes at Rosehill behind Almandin.
The seven-year-old then tackled Winx in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes and finished just over 12-lengths behind the wonder mare.
Ambitious also contested the Doomben and Brisbane Cups over the Brisbane winter carnival and finished third and fourth in the staying features.
He also boasts a win over Japanese super horse Kitasan Black in April 2016.
Ambitious had two starts over the Melbourne Spring Carnival in September but was spelled after two lacklustre performances.
Mourayan is the highest-rated horse to ever nominate for the Albury Gold Cup in 2014 with a rating of 111.
The Team Williams galloper was allocated the maximum top-weight of 62 kg but was a non-acceptor.
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