Towac Park's richest race is fast approaching as nominations are officially in for the $75,000 Spanline Orange Gold Cup (2100m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leading the way is Michael Mulholland-trained gelding Reward Seeker, the six-year-back to defend his crown as he reigned victorious in 2020 as a $6.50 chance.
Some of you may remember the stylish finish he had 12 months ago, screaming past the pack in the final 100m like a thief in the night.
Not only did the gelding win the corresponding race last year, he's fresh off a win in the Wellington Cup where he saluted as a $17 chance.
The obvious query for him would be the distance as the 2020 Orange Cup was the only time he raced over 2000 metres.
Also prominent will be Dylan's Romance as the eight-year-old gelding ran second to Reward Seeker at the Wellington Cup last start.
Marc Conner's prospect has had 11 wins in his career but hasn't broken through since Rosehill in 2019.
Not to be ignored is Orange Cup Prelude winner Renalot as Roy McCabe's confident the five-year-old mare can succeed in uncharted territory... she's never competed over 2000 metres in her career but ran a stout third in the Wellington Cup behind the aforementioned duo.
Former Orange trainer Gary Portelli has moved onto bigger and better things, but will be hoping Friday's homecoming is a happy one as he'll enter Lord Tropicana into the main event.
The four-year-old gelding hasn't lit the world on fire so far but has the pedigree to mix it with these, especially considering the distance.
Her first career win came at Newcastle over the 2300, while her follow-up breakthrough was at Bathurst over the 2000.
It wouldn't be a rich country race without a Kody Nestor horse competing as Eva's Deel will look to secure her owner the prize money.
She's been average this preparation but had a deadly win over the 1800 at Rosehill in December. While no Orange trainers will have a chance in the Cup race, Alison Smith, Maree Hopkins and Brad Draper will all be watching with interest.
Smith will send out accomplished mare Absolute Ripper in the second, as well as I'll Tell You Miss, How's it Kev and Jaywalker in the seventh. Hopkins has Flying Honour nominated in race five and race three, while Draper has Fortuneous in race seven
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram