It’s something racing fans have become all too accustomed to at Dawson Park and on Friday night the clash between two of the best racing teams in the state takes centre stage again.

Paul and Pam Braddon are shooting for a third successive Gold Cup feature win but Forbes-based, Group 1 winning trainer, Raymond Smith has the fastest qualifier heading into the $11,500 final.

Little Digger won his heat in style last week, just qualifying faster than the Braddon-trained star, who also won his heat.

But that is not the only hopes of the respective trainers, with each having three shots at success in what is Dubbo’s biggest dog race.

Little Digger will jump from box two for Smith, outside kennelmate Midnight Treat while Big Daddy Bee will go from box four.

The Braddon team, based at Cowra, will eagerly be watching Falcon’s Fury go from box five, alongside kennelmates Ferrero Miss and Spring Jazz in boxes six and seven respectively.

"We are hoping for an outside box with Falcon's Fury and would like to see Spring Jazz get a better draw because she never seems to have much luck with boxes,'' Pam Braddon told thedogs.com.au. 

Paul Braddon conceded Little Digger was going to be hard to beat in the final. 

"He has always been a good dog everywhere but Dubbo seems to be his best track because he has won each of his three races there,'' he said.

Paul and Pamela Braddon have battled Smith and his wife Maree in countless races at Dawson Park but it’s the Gold Cup in which some of the best contests have been seen.

Two years ago, Smith had the raging favourite for the event in the shape of his star stayer, Brad Hill Billy, but it was the Braddons’ All A Blaze which was first past the post.

In last year’s event, Falcon’s Fury justified his status as a hot $1.40 favourite when scoring a blitzing victory, and he is certain to be in the mix for a second successive win on Friday night.

The night’s other feature is the $11,5000 P & B Miller Memorial Final and Nangar Gift from the Cudal kennels of Dennis Barnes is set to jump favourite there.

Nangar Gift set the fastest time in the heats of the 516m series, getting home in the time of 29.86 seconds and will go from box seven in the final. Caitlyn Keeping drew box eight for the final while the Braddons will be represented again, with Metallic Flash in box five.

Racing starts 7.05pm.