NEWCASTLE trainer Kris Lees is confident he has hardy stayer Slivovitz in the right form to defend his Taree Gold Cup title on Sunday at Taree-Wingham Race Club's Bushland Drive track.
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A repeat win in the $60,000 Stacks Law Firm Taree Gold Cup (2000m) has been the target for Slivovitz since the seven-year-old started his current campaign in June.
Slivovitz , raced by well-known owner, wine producer and yachtsman Bob Oatley of Wild Oats fame, won last year's Taree Cup beating the Kristen Buchanan-trained Lucky Liaison.
Lees says there is no reason to doubt the seven-year-oid cannot do it again following his excellent last start fourth at Randwick on August 8 when having his fourth start since resuming.
Slivovitz finished a game fourth behind Loophole over 2000m after having to race wide and work hard in the run.
"It was an adequate effort and good enough to aim him at the Taree Cup again," Lees said.
Lees has also nominated Artibai, a last start third at Rosehill on August 1, and the import Slow Pace .
Kristen Buchanan has also nominated Lucky Liaison for the Taree Cup but is in two minds about whether she will seek to square accounts with Slivovitz despite her stayer's solid winter form that includes a win and a close second at his last two starts over 2200m and 2400m at Warwick Farm.
Buchanan said some rain would probably tip the scales in favour of a start at Taree.
"I don't wish the club any harm but some rain would be good," Buchanan said. "I will make a decision later in the week."
In last year's Taree Cup Lucky Liaison hit the lead at the top of the straight and looked set to win before Slivovitz came from well back to steal the race in the last 50m.
The Taree Cup has attracted 21 entries including Just As Cosmic , trained in Sydney by Jason Coyle, and Hawkesbury-trained Scottish Border from the Gary Frazer stable.
Scottish Border also contested last year's Taree Cup, carrying 57kg to finish fourth behind Slivovitz carrying 54.5kg.
Artibai, Scottish Border and Just As Cosmic are acceptors for a BM81 over 2000m at Randwick on Saturday.
Taree Wingham Race Club is ready for a big weekend with the first day of the carnival on Friday, a Manning River Luncheon Cruise and Taree Cup Calcutta Dinner on Saturday and Sunday's Taree Cup meeting being a Saddle Up Sunday supported by Racing NSW and the NSW TAB.
Champion jockey Robert Thompson and former rugby league player and personality Michal Hagan, the Queensland Maroons assistant coach, will be the guest speakers at the calcutta dinner.
A service fee to Oxley Island Thoroughbreds exciting new sire Powermore will be auctioned with proceeds going to the Mid North Coast Branch of the Men Of League.
