WAGGA jockey Brad Clark hopes to make the most of a golden opportunity in today's $170,000 feature race at Albury. Rides in Albury and Wagga Gold Cups are increasingly rare for Southern District jockeys these days but Clark has been able to snare an opportunity on hometown hope Mr Sunset.

 Mr Sunset was scratched from yesterday's $60,000 City Handicap (1400m), in preparation for today's feature event, the Albury Gold Cup (2000m).Clark yesterday could not remember his last Albury or Wagga Gold Cup ride, but hopes he can make today's race one to remember on outsider Mr Sunset.

"My last (Gold Cup ride) would be a few years ago now," Clark said.

 "The prizemoney these days entices Sydney and Melbourne horses and they usually bring their own jockeys along.

 "It's good that Brett Cavanough and the owners have stuck with me on the horse.

 "I know the horse like the back of my hand.

 "I'm looking forward to it, he's in good form and will be a lightweight chance."

 Clark believes Sydney visitor Deltona is the horse to beat, with the horse to be ridden by his brother Tim Clark. There will be no brotherly love or favours during today's big race. "Michele (Brad's wife) said to me last night that Tim's had his go and it's my turn now," Clark laughed."I think Deltona is the one to beat, he gets in good and has been close to the mark in Sydney."Growl will be hard to beat too, Leica Larrikin, there are a few nice horses in it."

 Albury's Brett Cavanough will attempt to pull off a remarkable training performance, stepping up Mr Sunset from an 1175-metre event last start to 2000m today.It is Mr Sunset's first attempt at 2000m.Clark believes the six-year-old's record on his home track at Albury will certainly help their cause."I wouldn't say he is the worst ride in the race, not by a long way," Clark said."Obviously its his first go at 2000, but he gets a mile."If he gets to the front and gets an easy run down the back, he's only got to sprint 600 metres and he might be in it."If he can get a couple of cheap sectionals in front, not too many will go past him at Albury."Mr Sunset has won three and placed a further three times from seven starts at Albury.He has won two and placed twice from his past four starts.

 

 

 

 

BRETT Cavanough held an unusually small hand at Albury on Saturday but a stable veteran ensured the leading hometown trainer still dealt a winner.

Cavanough’s only runner for the day, Mr Sunset, took full advantage of a drop in weight and soggy conditions to claim the $9000 Benchmark 65 Hcp (1400m) — the six-year-old’s first win since 2008.

Rain-lover Rustie Bugles was 1?-lengths away second with Famiglia Ruby in third.

Mr Sunset ($12) had never won on slow or heavy prior to Saturday but Cavanough had no doubt the slow (7) track played in the Strategic gelding’s favour.

“I think he’s been jarring up in his last few starts so the sting out of ground probably helped and he enjoyed a bit of weight relief,” Cavanough said.

“He’s always shown potential ... hopefully he’s ready to go on with it this time and win a couple from here.

“I have him pencilled in more for the country cups but I can’t get him in one with the tracks as hard as they are at the moment.”

For Cavanough, it was the first time the SDRA premiership trainer had crossed the road with just one runner since the same meeting last year.

On that occasion — Black Saturday — the meeting was abandoned due to scorching temperatures.

“One runner, one winner; it was nice,” Cavanough said.

“I don’t know the last time I did that at Albury but it’s certainly a rarity.”

Cavanough will head to Wellington in the Central Districts association on Thursday with up to five gallopers, including first start winner Imbolc and last start Canberra winner Crown Seal.