Kentucky Flyer has the advantage of the inside barrier over the 1400 metres with apprentice jockey Qin Yong reducing his weight to a luxury 52.5 kilograms.

His trainer Graham Payne along with harness racing bloodstock agent Darrell Kidd and race caller Anthony Manton purchased Kentucky Flyer from Victoria and so far it has been the perfect start.

“Graham is originally from Cessnock and he wanted to win a Jungle Juice Cup there, which he did, and I’m from Gundagai and I want to win a Snake Gully Cup and here we are ready for Friday,” Manton said.

“The Cup profiles perfect for him, he is a jump and run type, he’s a leader and the short straight with the quick turn suit him to run out 1400 metres.

“He gets in light with the claim for Qin and he rates him so well.”

Kentucky Flyer should again lead with last year’s Snake Gully Cup winner, Mercurial Lad, ideally drawn in gate three likely to push him early or take a trail and emerge late.

Top weight Bring A Secret is also in career best form and ran third in the Cup last year, while Rock On Zariz returns after finishing fourth 12 months ago.

Not Too Sure, one of two runners for trainer Chris Heywood who also has Class Clown engaged, beat home contenders Bring A Secret, Ruthless Agent and Rock On Zariz in his last start win of the Stan Sadleir at Wagga.

Dreams Of Paris is a serious contender after winning the Cootamundra Cup and finishing a close fifth at Albury when he dropped back to 1175 metres.

Leading jockey Nick Heywood was aboard Dreams Of Paris at Cootamundra and feels the gelding can be right in the finish with the step up in distance.

“They will go that fast in front it will be like a 1200 metre race. He should get a nice run behind them and have the last crack at the leaders,” Heywood said.

Heywood won the Snake Gully Cup in 2015 with Gundagai galloper Zero To Ten on a heavy track as an $18 chance.

“I would love to win it again too,” he said.

Canberra trainer Nick Olive has tried for many years to win the Cup which has proven elusive to date despite starting many favourites.

Stable apprentice and Gundagai boy Billy Owen will have the ride on Bring A Secret and if he happens to win it will be some party in the town.

Mercurial Lad is likely to start as the favourite with Country Championships contender O’ So Hazy also considered among the main chances along with Bring A Secret and Kentucky Flyer.

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