Gentleman Max enters the $150,000 feature race as the 100-1 joint outsider with fellow Wagga stayer Dyrham Park.

Sutherland set Gentleman Max for a tilt at the Wagga Gold Cup way back in August and is pleased with how the four-year-old is heading into the big race.

“All we wanted to do was get into this race,” Sutherland said.

“We were a little bit disappointed that we missed the (Cup) run at Gundagai, but his run in the (Wagga) Cup Prelude was phenomenal without luck.

“She hadn’t let him go from the 400 home and he was only beaten four and a half lengths hard held.”

Sutherland has confidence in Gentleman Max’s ability and would love nothing more than to win a Wagga Gold Cup.

“You want to win it. The only two Cups here I haven’t won here is the Albury Cup and Wagga Cup,” he said.

“They’re certainly on the want list. It’s our biggest race day of the year and you want to be in it and you want to compete.

“I seriously think we will compete very, very strongly.

“This time next year he’s going to be a lot better horse but he’s really developed and he’s had a totally stayers prep. I probably sacrificed a couple early in the shorter races but since August everything has totally been about this, peaking him at this.

“He’s pretty much had an unblemished prep, I’m happy with where we’re are and happy with how the horse is.”

Adding to the hometown flavour, experienced Wagga jockey Bryan Murphy will take the ride.

Murphy is one of the few local jockeys than can lay claim to winning a Wagga Town Plate and will be looking to add the Gold Cup and complete the double.

Murphy will be on Gentleman Max from barrier nine and Sutherland is happy to have his stable jockey on board in Wagga’s biggest race.

“Murph is riding phenomenally well, probably as good as I’ve seen him ride for a long time,” he said.

“His confidence is good, he’s over his injuries. He’s here every morning, we’re toiling away trying to get the job done so he deserves the reward as well.

“I’m confident my jockey will get the job done, I’m confident with all my team.”

Sutherland has had a few starters in the Cup in recent times and does not believe this year’s edition is as strong.

“It’s a pretty ordinary Cup,” he said.

“Even though they’re good horses, you won’t find a $150,000 race as weak.”

Sutherland has eight horses set to run on Gold Cup day and is keenest on Oh What A Thief and Hangin’ With Willy.

Oh What A Thief contests the Toyota Material Handling Class Three Handicap (1000m), while Hangin’ With Willy is one of three Sutherland runners in the Wagga Marketplace Benchmark 60 Handicap (1300m).

“I think it’s a nice race for Hangin’ With Willy, he’s got untapped potential,” he said.

“I rate him probably the best horse in the Southern District when he does everything right. He’s got a phenomenal turn of foot.

“All of a sudden I’ve trained him totally different to any horse I’ve trained in my life. I changed four months ago and his last three months have been phenomenal.

“He just goes from strength to strength and I’m very happy with the horse.”