TRAINER Norm Loy will use Saturday's Towong Cup as a springboard for an Albury Gold Cup assault with Ilovesaki.
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Ilovesaki started favourite in the recent Country Championship Qualifier after notching back-to-back wins in the lead-up to the $150,000 feature.
But Ilovesaki finished near the tail of the field in the qualifier after the noted frontrunner engaged in an early speed duel which took its toll in the straight.
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Loy expects his stable star to bounce back to winning form in the $25,000 feature.
"I would be surprised if Ilovesaki couldn't make amends for his last-start at Towong," Loy said.
"They took him on in the Championship Qualifier and we won't be falling into that trap again.
"To only have seven runners in the cup is slightly disappointing considering the high country feature is such a time-honoured event.
"I have got such fond memories of the race.
"I rode Let Me Pass to victory for trainer Craig McDermott.
"I also had Lacryma Star run second one year as a trainer.
"I love Towong and it would be an honour to win the cup as a trainer."
Despite only facing six rivals in the 1600m-feature, there still looks to be plenty of speed in the race with Footmark and Funky Farm noted frontrunners.
"I hope those two lead and set a decent tempo," he said.
"I know my horse has got the ability to run the fastest closing sectionals in the race.
"If he can't win at Towong I'm wasting my time trying to target an Albury Cup."
