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Interstate trainers led by Peter Moody promise to make life tough for Chris Waller's bid to win his third successive Wyong Gold Cup on Friday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Waller has won the last two editions of the $150,000 Listed Race over 2100m in 2010 with Hawk Island and last year with The Verminator, subsequent winner of the G1 Metropolitan at Randwick.
Waller, Sydney's premier trainer, has a double chance to make it three straight on Friday with plans to start his in-form pair Kelinni and Stout Hearted.
However three of the 13 entries for the Wyong Cup come from interstate trainers including Moody's impressive mare Storm Burst, an easy winner of her last two starts in Melbourne over 2000m at Flemington and 2040m at Moonee Valley.
Storm Burst would rate as the most consistent performer in Melbourne through the winter, her record in 11 starts since she resumed in April seeing her miss a place only once and made up of four wins, four seconds and two thirds.
Queensland stables also have the eyes on the Wyong Cup with Brisbane's leading trainer Rob Heathcote nominating last Saturday's Eagle Farm winner Racing Heart and Gold Coast-based Bruce Hill entering last year's Grafton Cup winner Warrior Within.
Warrior Within, third to Racing Heart over 2106m at Eagle Farm last Saturday, made the trip south last year to finish ninth in the Wyong Cup.
Waller plans to back up Stout Hearted from his third in the Premier's Cup (1800m) at Rosehill last Saturday when he made up good ground from the rear in a leader dominated race.
The fast improving Kelinni earned his shot at the Wyong Cup with his second successive win over 2200m at Warwick Farm the previous week.
Gai Waterhouse, winner of two Wyong Cups with Sea Captain (1995) and Bianca (2008), will be hoping to turn the tables on Kellinni with Julienas after his last start second to Waller's stayter at Warwick Farm.
Other Wyong Cup entries include the Peter Snowden-trained Yulalona, Taree Cup winner The Paymaster and locally-trained pair Gazza Guru and Beaveroo.