Murray Bridge horseman Michael Hickmott will try to extend his outstanding start to the 2020-21 racing season by winning his first hometown cup on Friday.
Hickmott, who leads the metropolitan trainers’ premiership, has Aqueduct, Danon Roman and Peloton all nominated for the $100,000 Listed feature over a mile.
Formerly with Anthony Freedman, Danon Roman has an intriguing history. He started his career in Japan before coming to Australia where he has recorded three wins, including the $100,000 Provincial Plate at Flemington in June.
Last-start Balaklava Cup winner Winning Partner will be trying to give the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable back-to-back Cups after Nisstan won last year’s feature with Jason Holder in the saddle.
They also have East Indiaman entered for the race.
Peter Jolly’s Morvada is the highest rated horse in the race, while son Richard and granddaughter Chantelle have nominated Hypercane and Regalo Di Gaetano for the race.
Balaklava Cup runner-up Analytica is also among the 22 nominations for the feature.
The club received a huge 181 nominations for the nine-race card.