Sutherland will be represented by Gentleman Max and Azaryah in the $160,000 listed Wagga Gold Cup (2000m).

As much as Azaryah has enjoyed a fairytale rise this campaign, all eyes are on Gentleman Max, a horse with a cult following given his durability and record on rain-affected tracks.

Gentleman Max has won 11 races and been placed a further eight times from 25 starts on a heavy track.

It is for that reason he has already been backed from $101 into $34 in the Cup at TAB.

"He's probably got the best wet record in Australia, doesn't he?" Sutherland said.

"The track will be chopped up, no matter what they do. After two day's racing it's going to be a bog hole. I'll imagine there will be a fair few scratchings anyway.

"He's won 11 on a heavy and only missed a placing a few times from 25 starts so it certainly helps.

"He's pretty fit and we're pretty happy with him. He's maturing, I've got no doubt this year will be the best I've ever had him so I'm looking forward to it. He's been around a long time but structurally and soundness wise it's the best I've ever had him."

While also upbeat about Azaryah, Sutherland admits he leans towards Gentleman Max as his pick of the two on Friday.

"The mare's still a bit untested on the heavy. She's never really had a go at it so I don't know. The way it's going, to a heavy track, I'd have to lean Max's way," Sutherland said.

"When he gets on a heavy, I'd back Max against anything so I'd lean that way for those reasons but she gives me the impression she'll handle it too, just because she's tough and hard, makes her own luck.

"She's never laid down and went away. As long as they don't get in a sit and sprint. Probably last time they just went a little bit slow from the 12 to the 8 on her and they got a little bit of a run on her.

"They both deserve their chance so we'll give him a look and see what happens."

Brendan Ward takes the ride on Gentleman Max from barrier 10, with Azaryah to be next door in gate 11 with apprentice Tyler Schiller in the saddle. Sutherland expects Azaryah to set the pace in the Cup.

"Yeah we're pretty keen to roll along at a good tempo," he said.

"She's done everything right, everything you could have asked of her this prep and she deserves her shot. Especially being a listed race.

"She's in good order and will go for a spell after that. You take those couple of Country Championships runs out, at the 1400 that were too short, everything else has been outstanding.

"She should get better next prep as well. We'll put her away after this, give her a break and bring her back in the spring."

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