Orange preview: Trainer Danny Williams is hoping his handy stayer Marsabit can go one better this time around

Following a second placing in the first of three country feature races, trainer Danny Williams is hoping Marsabit can go one better in Friday’s Orange Gold Cup.

Trainer Danny Williams has Marsabit on track for Friday’s Orange Gold Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Marsabit is already eligible for a date with the $2m Big Dance but trainer Danny Williams is keen to see his talented stayer continue to make his presence felt on the country cup circuit, starting with Friday’s $75,000 Orange Motor Group Orange Gold Cup (2100m).

The son of Mehmas earned a crack at November’s big feature when running second in the Listed Albury Gold Cup to Beltoro last time and will look to go one better at Orange in his second of three consecutive starts in bush features.

“I thought he was a bit unlucky not to finish closer at Albury,” Williams said.

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Marsabit (right) is chasing success in Friday’s Orange Gold Cup. Picture: Getty Images

“He sort of ran into traffic from the 500m to the 400m, got held up and went to the outside on the tail of the winner.

“He went back to the inside and got cut out and in the meantime, the winner was off and gone.

“When he came to the outside, he hit the line really well.

“He’s eligible for the Big Dance but the idea of running him in this is to have him ready for the Wagga Cup.”

Williams wants to have Marsabit peaking in the $200,000 Listed Wagga Gold Cup on Friday, May 5 but believes his gelding will be very competitive in Orange’s feature event first.

His only concern is how rain affected the Central Western NSW track will be after rain saw the track rated a soft 7 on Thursday afternoon.

Marsabit, to be ridden by Nick Heywood, is rated a $10 TAB chance in the Orange Gold Cup with the Bjorn Baker-trained Ita the $4.40 favourite.

Williams’ best chance on the afternoon will come earlier on the card with Montebello’s Charm chasing his first victory in The Ophir Hotel Maiden Plate (1290m).

The Smart Missile gelding has only had four starts and is a $2.70 favourite to break his maiden with Heywood aboard.

“We have been dealing with his barrier manners and we are finally starting to thrash them out,” Williams said.

“Because of his barrier manners he has been a bit tardy away but this looks like a very good assignment for him.

Jockey Nick Heywood will ride Marsabit at Orange on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

“It looks an easier race than he has been running in and the draw is good for us so very happy with him.”

Williams also has two of his stable stalwarts in the Pirtek Orange Benchmark 58 (1610m) with Rent A Rock ($17) and My Blue Jeans ($15) with the latter an emergency and sweating on a start.

Both will need conditions to suit to take their place in the field.

“Both of them wouldn’t like it too wet so would have to be questionable if the track gets in the heavy range,” Williams said.

“They are both good, consistent gallopers.”

Saturday’s Royal Randwick card will feature Williams’ stable star with Shelby Sixtysix ($71) in the Petaluma Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m).

Last year’s Group 1 Galaxy winner is dropping back substantially in grade after finding trouble in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes where he failed to beat a runner home but can produce an improved showing.

“It looked average on paper but when you look at him and Private Eye, the wind got knocked out of them,” Williams said.

“The horse has been going really well and albeit heavy the other day, he wasn’t suited by the cut up ground the other day.

“If the rain had come the night before rather than on the day, I think he would have run a little bit better but he is going really well.”

Williams also has Jalmari ($41) and Preemptory ($8.50) in the TAB Highway Handicap.