In 2014 the gelding, then trained at Wauchope by Grant Prosser, won the Coopernook Hotel Hannam Vale Cup over 1312m and two years later sports good form after a fighting second last start to Coffs Harbour mare Sofin over 1408m, under the guidance of local trainer Michael Byers.

Hall Of Fame jockey Robert Thompson rode the gelding last start after taking advantage of a good getaway and a slow pace early to be in the leading division until collared by Coffs Harbour mare Sofin at this track.

He again takes the mount and should be wise to have the grey gelding where comfortable early as Clune's Rocket has been recognised as a solid finisher when allowed to settle early.

"He (the horse) is fit and well and ready to do his best," Byers who had a win with a relative to the gelding in Who Is Game at Muswellbrook on Monday.

"There was no speed on early when Clune's Rocket jumped so well last start and Robert had no alternative.

"I think the horse is better with cover early and finishing on in his races.

"In the past he has led and stopped and maybe he is turning things around."

An interesting nomination is Broadmeadow seven-year-old gelding Lucky Ima Cugat, trained at Broadmeadow by Steve Hodge, which was a gallant third in Sofin's race last start.

The galloper won the Gooch Agencies Gloucester Cup when it was over 2000m in 2014 and may find the distance short of its best but with a freshen up it can be capable at its third run back from a spell.

It seems to find the local company to its liking and did win the Tuncurry Cup over 2100m in February 2015.

The improver is bound to be seven-year-old mare Grand Feeling which had its first run back from a spell for Taree trainer Bob Milligan for a 3.8 lengths sixth to Ruling Queen here last start over about the same distance and has won four of its races here at the distance.

Taree five-year-old mare Lady With Spurs was no further back than second in eight starts, notching three wins and is resuming for Taree trainer Ross Stitt. But she could be a risk at the distance as she has won up to 2700m at Gunnedah and is being set for rich country cups over longer journeys. Lady With Spurs is in good order in resuming here.

Visiting gallopers have had good winning records at Taree of late and in the mix in the cup will be Broadmeadow's Power Supply, trained by Kris Lees and prolific winner at two of Taree's last two meetings, Paul Perry with five-year-old gelding Tanzen, a solid winner here three starts back.

And there is nothing wrong with the form of 10-year-old gelding Dane's Bullet, trained locally by Matthew Robinson, which resumed from a spell to be a fighting fourth behind Sofin last start.

And Lester' Hope has had two wins from two starts at the track and comes into the race with good city form and a sixth over 1600m to McCreery (3.7 lengths) at Gosford last start for trainer Damien Lane.

Tuncurry's Meishou, trained by Terry Evans, is striving to make it two wins in a row at the track, after bowing two tendons, in the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1600m whereas he could be up against last start Tuesday winner at Coffs Harbour Rigamarole, trained by Colt Prosser.