The Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden Racing team will be split across meetings at Orange and Canberra on Friday.
While the stable has four runners at Canberra, all eyes will be on the in-form Acheson (Mathew Cahill), which has drawn gate nine in the $75,000 Big Dance qualifying Orange Gold Cup (1600m).
The 5YO Churchill gelding has been racing outstandingly for Jess Brookes following a short freshen-up, with a 1400m Benchmark 66 Handicap win at Goulburn on March 22 backed up by an impressive win in the 1600m Tuggeranong Cup at Canberra on April 3.
While Brookes is busy riding at Canberra, Cahill is one of the best jockeys in NSW and jumps aboard for the ride.
There is the added appeal at Orange, with the top two runners in the Orange Gold Cup qualifying for the $3 million Big Dance and $750,000 Little Dance, set to be run at Royal Randwick on the first Tuesday in November.
Back at home, Dryden and Snowden will see Burgundy Girl headline their chances in the 1400m TAB Federal.
The 7YO Cable Bay mare won the Sapphire Coast Cup (2200m) and Canberra Cup Prelude (2000m) in February before a game sixth-place finish in the $200,000 Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) on March 8.
Following a short freshen-up, Jess Brookes stays in the saddle as Burgundy Girl takes on the seven-furlong event from gate 2.
The Canberra stable will set a strong two-pronged attack in the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap, with Showtime Maggie (Alysha Collett) the early $3.20 favourite with the TAB while stablemate Shoreman (Jess Penza) is well in the market at $6.
Showtime Maggie was a winner in this same grade and distance at Canberra earlier this month, flashing from last to win, while Shoreman has been racing consistently, including a last-start second in a 1000m Class One Handicap at Canberra on April 3.
Also racing at Canberra is Passenger Princess (Alysha Collett) in the 1600m Benchmark 55 Handicap.
Only two starts into her career, the 3YO Prized Icon filly has been doing her best work late in races over 1000m and 1400m, and despite taking on more experienced rivals at Canberra on Friday, she’ll appreciate stepping up to eight furlongs.
After meetings at Orange and Canberra, the stable’s attention will turn to Wagga on Sunday, where the well-named Capital Babe is entered in the $50,000 Super Maiden Handicap (1200m).
The 4YO Capitalist mare was strong to the line at Goulburn earlier this month, finishing second, and has drawn well at Wagga with gate three and the services of Shaun Guymer.
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Words: Jeff Hanson/Dusty Hooves Media.
Image: Bradley Photos.