Wagga trainer Chris Heywood has decided to have a crack at the $180,000 Albury Gold Cup (2000m) with talented stayer Class Clown.
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Heywood ran second in the 2016 edition of the Albury Gold Cup with High Opinion and will be out to go one better with a $101 chance on Friday.
Class Clown has gained a start as the first emergency and Heywood has opted for a Cup start instead of running in Thursday's $40,000 Albury Mile (1600m).
Wagga apprentice jockey Josh Richards will maintain the ride, in what will be the biggest race of his short career.
Heywood was happy to have a crack at the Cup riches despite coming up with the outside barrier.
"There was a couple of reasons but the main one is you don't very often get to have a crack at a $180,000 race," Heywood said.
"He is looking for the 2000 metres more than he is the mile, too. His form says he is better over 2000 and we've got nothing to lose.
"The aim was always to go to both Cups so we'll take the run. We planned a path to get into the Albury Cup and once we get through that, we'll have a crack at the qualifying races to get into the Wagga Cup."
Class Clown has won four times over 2000 metres and placed on another two occasions from 12 attempts.
He is also more than capable in heavy going should it rain, which is forecast for Albury on Friday.
Heywood was also happy to show faith in Richards and put him on in the listed race where he cannot claim.
"Josh will take the ride, I'm sticking with him," he said.
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