Single Gaze is part-owned by Gundagai men Martin Hay and David Tout and will carry the hopes of a community in the feature race.

The gutsy five-year-old mare was bred at Harden and is trained by Nick Olive at Canberra but will take on some of racing’s biggest names in the Caulfield Cup.

To add to the connection, former Gundagai man Billy Owen has been looking after Single Gaze as Olive’s travelling foreman.

“The whole town’s behind her,” Hay said.

“She’s got a pretty big following Australia wide actually. People are amazed by her courage after the fall (at Randwick).

“She fights like a caged tiger and I’m sure she will do us proud again (on Saturday).”

Single Gaze is a $31 chance and goes into the race on the back of consecutive fourth placings. All her runs this preparation have been at group one level.

“The horse is going really, really good. The best she’s ever gone,” Hay said.

“She will surprise a few people (on Saturday).

“Nick and Billy think she’s a genuine chance of winning. Her preparation has been absolutely faultless.”

Single Gaze has already given connections a great ride. She has earned $1.6 million in prizemoney and raced at group one level in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

“It’s been fantastic, a lot of fun,” Hay said.

If she runs up to expectation on Saturday, she will push on to the Melbourne Cup next month.

Single Gaze will be ridden by Kathy O’Hara from barrier 12. The Caulfield Cup will be run at 4.30pm.