Weir dominates the racing season on his home track but the Cup is one race that has proved difficult for him, winning once in 2011 with Universal Pack.

Bondo, who is owned by Tumut's Groves family, will again be Weir's representative in the Cup. He finished third in 2017 and second last year.

Weir believes Bondo can go one better this year and deliver him his second Tumut Cup.

"I think so. I've set him specifically for this," Weir said.

"It's been the aim. He finished second and third the last two years so hopefully he can win it this time."

Weir has kept Bondo fresh for the assignment.

Bondo last ran in the Adelong Cup at Gundagai on New Years Day. He finished second behind The Walrus, who he will meet again on Tuesday.

From there, it was all about getting Bondo right for the $16,000 Garry Gillespie Constructions Tumut Cup (1400m).

"It was a good run at Gundagai," he said.

"He gave the winner eight kilograms and meets him four kilos better off on Saturday.

"I gave him 10 days off after Gundagai and he's been ready for a start now for the last two weeks. I've kept him super, super fresh for it."

Megan Taylor will take the ride, adding to the Tumut flavour chasing the Cup.

Weir said it was mean a great deal to he and the connections if they could land the Tumut feature.

"I've done it once with Universal Pack. Even though it's only the Tumut Cup, your hometown Cup is always so hard to win, for everyone," he said.

"It's owned by the Groves family from here, Megan's a Tumut rider so it would be great if we could."

Weir did not name a specific main danger in an open Tumut Cup. He's been around long enough to know that Cups do not come easy. 

"All of them," he said.

"There looks to be good speed in the race. Hopefully we're fourth, one or two pairs back on the outside would be nice."

Weir will saddle up three other runners on Cup day.

He named Stafford in the Rock The Turf 23^rd March 2019 Maiden Plate (1400m) as the best of his remaining chances.

"He's had two starts on the track for two seconds, which helps," Weir said.

"It's horses for courses a bit and we know he likes the track."

Tumut Turf Club is expecting a big crowd for the Cup meeting, with a number of marquees booked for the big day.

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