While they have two Warrnambool, two Hamilton, three Penshurst and two Colac cups, a victory at Terang has eluded them.

Today they saddle up Watto’s Racer in a small but quality field.

“It would be a nice one to win,” Symon said.

“We haven’t tended to have a lot of runners in the Terang Cup, maybe one. 

“I guess Warrnambool, Hamilton, Colac and Terang cups are the main ones around us, so it would be nice to win one (Terang).”

Wilde said a victory would not only mean a lot to him and his father but also to two of Watto’s Racer’s owners, Murray and Robyn Perrett. “They have been good clients and they would get a thrill out of winning their hometown cup,” he said.

Watto’s Racer is not without a chance in the race.

He enters the cup with four seconds from six starts this campaign, including runner-up finishes in last Saturday’s Great Western Cup (1850m) and the Camperdown Cup (1600m) on January 19.

“He was probably unlucky in the Great Western Cup. He got taken on in the middle of the race. He was softened up,” Wilde said.

But he said his form from the Camperdown Cup was good, given the quality of the winner, Henshaw.

“He will give a good honest sight,” Wilde said.

“It’s not an overly huge field but he’s on trial at the 2150m.” Crucially, the seven-year-old gelding has a big advantage in the weights. He will carry 54 kilograms, 8.5kg less than the topweight, New Zealand galloper Titch from the Kevin Myers stable.

The Darren Weir-trained Hurdy Gurdy Man is expected to start favourite with Brad Rawiller in the saddle. Hurdy Gurdy Man has been in good form, having won the Woodford Cup in December, followed by a second placing in the Koroit Cup a week later, before stepping up in distance to finish sixth from 13 runners over 2000m at Flemington last start.

Cranbourne trainer Robbie Laing will mount a two-horse assault on the race with Heaven’s Riches and Rock Musician.

grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au