Gentleman Max and Albury sprinter Vinnie Vega will be the only Southern District representatives in the feature race at Gundagai.

Gentleman Max ran seventh in last year’s Cup but was only beaten two lengths despite having limited racing room in the home straight.

Sutherland believes Gentleman Max is much more ready for the race the second time around.

“Last year when he raced in it he was desperately unlucky,” Sutherland said.

“He was a boy in a man’s world last year, where this year he’s a man. I don’t think I’ve seen him look any better, feel any better or work any better.

“I’m 100 times happier this year than I was last year with him.”

Gentleman Max has drawn wide in barrier 13 and Sutherland will expect apprentice jockey Chelsea McFarlane to push forward.

“We’ll be positive, we’ve been positive all year,” he said.

“We’ll probably be three deep but three deep with some cover would be nice.”

Rain is forecast for Friday and that will only enhance the chances of Gentleman Max, a known mudlark.

“It won’t hurt us, we’re scared of no one in the wet,” Sutherland said.

“If it happens to get into the heavy range, we know his record in the wet, but this year he’s become competitive in the dry.”

Sutherland had 14 horses entered over the two days of the Gundagai carnival and expects them all to perform well.

“It’s tough racing over there but most of mine handle the track well and I couldn’t be happier with the lot of them,” he said.