Rapidly rising Murray Bridge galloper Montign will be chasing a popular hometown victory in in today’s $107,250 Gold Cup (1600m).

The Stuart Padman-trained galloper has come a long way since winning his maiden at Penola in May last year.

He went without a win in his next six starts before winning five races on end, his run a close-up effort beaten less than a length in a blanket finish at Morphettville.

"This is clearly his biggest test to date, but we think that he deserves to take his place after his rapid improvement through the grades during 2022,'' Padman's son Will said.

"We think he enjoys the sting out and seems to excel when he can get his toe into the ground.

"The horse is disadvantaged as many are by the handicapper after the withdrawal of the top weight effectively compressing the weights, but Sophie (Logan, jockey) got off after last start and said the horse is looking for more ground, so we haven't ruled out stepping him up in trip further after assessing how he handles the mile,'' he said.

Padman said Montign was a horse who saved his best for race day.

"He isn't an exciting trackworker by any stretch, but he has been doing well in the feed bin, bright, and well within himself around the stable which are his main indicators of how he is going,'' Padman said.

"With some luck in running we expect him to be in the finish if he can get clear air at the right time in a big field,'' he said.