Delivered to have much-needed hit-out in Kurrajong Cup at Wagga

The annual Kurrajong Waratah charity race day is set to attract a huge crowd to MTC on Saturday and the feature race will be fitting of the support.

Some of the Southern District's most talented sprinters are set to meet in the $12,000 Wagga Plumbing Service Kurrajong Cup (1200m).

Wagga trainer Chris Heywood chose this race to give Delivered a much-needed run ahead of his next assignment and was taken aback by the strength of the field.

"It's a good race for that money," Heywood said.

"There is a lot of pretty handy horses in it.

"I threw (Delivered) in because he needs the run. There is a really good race for him at Wagga in 10 days."

Delivered has been racing in great form this preparation, highlighted by a barnstorming victory at Wagga on April 1, then his second placing behind Fermanagh Lad in the Town Plate Prelude at his next start.

Heywood is unsure whether the Wagga Riverside circuit will suit Delivered, but hopes to see him running on.

"There looks to be really good speed in the race," he said.

"There is a lot of pace and a lot of backmarkers.

"He's been settling a bit closer with the blinkers on so hopefully he can find a nice spot on the fence and be hitting the line."

Mathew Cahill will ride Delivered from barrier two.

Among his rivals are the Craig Widdison-trained Cash Crisis, the winner of last year's Albury City Handicap, and the 2018 Snake Gully Cup winner My Maher for Trevor Sutherland.

Cattledog Cod, Diamonds For Alice and Fashion Tip add to the strong Southern District brigade, while Heywood is also wary of Luke Pepper's mare Shantou.

"I think she's the dark horse," he said.

"She's had four first up runs for a win and three placings.

"Cattledog Cod goes nice, Cash Crisis always runs well here and Fashion Tip ran a good race last start.

"It's a tough race."

Regardless of Delivered's performance, he will run at Wagga again on Tuesday week in the Benchmark 74 Handicap (1400m).

Heywood's only other runner at Wagga on Saturday is Wolfofpeterstreet in the Thomas Bros Group Class Three Handicap (1050m).

Cahill will again take the ride, but this time from the outside gate.

"I'm really happy with her, I just wish she drew a gate," Heywood said.

"The outside barrier is going to make it hard for her but it's not an overly strong race so I'd be disappointed if she couldn't finish in the first four."

The first of six races at Wagga on Saturday gets underway at 12.49pm.

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