Honest galloper Zedlion returns to Nowra today to keep his unbeaten record intact there in today's feature Kinghorn Motor Group Nowra Cup (race 7).
The Jason Coyle trained gelding began what has been a long campaign at the course, winning fresh over 1200m in a Class 1 race.
Since then he has raced a further nine times for two wins and three minors and most of his runs have been in town.
He returns to Nowra today to try to take the feature Cup over a mile and looks hard to beat with his nice weight and a good draw.
Zedlion last broke through over 1580m at Canterbury Park four starts back, sitting wide early before moving up to share the lead in second place.
He turned there and fought on strongly to score a nose win over Al's Pride.
Next start was also at Canterbury over 1550m, where he was caught wide again early so yet again slipped forward and sat third.
The speed was strong though and although turning there and lifting strongly he could hold off Valhussle.
Up to 1900m at Canterbury Park next time, he yet again was caught a little wide early so pressed ahead to third.
He turned there but was urged along early in the straight and faded to finish ninth behind Rain Drum.
After a month off he won a trial at Randwick before returning to 1500m at Rosehill.
There he was ridden up to hold a forward position in third place before moving to second outside the leader.
He was under pressure to stick with the leader and eventual winner Under The Sun, but stuck on well to finish fifth.
That was in Saturday grade and he will appreciate the drop in class for this.
He drops in weight and has drawn ideally in barrier two where he will lob in a nice position straight away.
This is his right journey and with the minimum weight and a good draw he looks set to give a bold showing again.
The Gwenda Markwell trained Agent Bauer drops in grade for today's race and might be worth another chance at his each way odds.
The gelding won over 1800m at Hawkesbury five back then went to 2500m at Randwick on the Kensington track and seemingly didn't run it out.
He dropped back to 1800m next start in the Murrumbidgeee Cup at Wagga and overcame a wide gate to score a strong win.
Perhaps the run over the longer journey the start prior toughened him up.
He then stepped up to 2000m in the Listed Wagga Cup but had a tough run in the much stronger grade, finishing 13th after drawing wide and pressing forward early.
Last start, he dropped back to 1800m at Randwick and after settling second turned there but faded to finish sixth in a disappointing run.
He will find this easier and comes into this off a short let up.
He looks nicely placed here with 55kg on his solid record in tougher grade and has drawn well for leading rider Brendan Ward.
Country galloper Quichang is overdue for another win and looks hard to beat here.
The Luke Pepper trained gelding scored at his fourth run back from a spell after three good runs then ran a few more before finishing fifth behind Agent Bauer at Wagga.
After a month off he dropped back to 1460m at Queanbeyan and after settling third and racing there throughout boxed on well for third, beaten only half a length.
He drops in weight for this, is fitter for the longer journey and has a top record at the trip – six wins and five placings from 18 starts.
From a good draw he will be prominent throughout and should give a big sight.
Stablemate Ilringya was disappointing in the tougher Wagga Cup but has had a break since then and her previous form ties in well with both Agent Bauer and Quichang.
She has a strong record at the course and should be hard to hold out.
Our Billy Blue got home late over 1400m at Randwick latest and is far better suited by the extra ground here. Should be ready to show up.
