ANNECY is out to build on her previous start at Dubbo when the Don and Andrew Ryan-trained mare returns to the same venue on Friday.
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The Sebring mare takes on a small but classy field in on of the day's numerous features, the Dubbo Chamber Rhino Awards Cup Open Showcase Handicap (1600m), searching for an improvement on her commendable fourth placing on the track last month.
Annecy gets to carry the minimum weight of 54kg this time around, racing in the same grade as that latest run.
Andrew Ryan said the mare, who has proven a handful in previous campaigns, is racing with purpose of late.
"We've had a few issues with her in the past but hopefully they're behind us," he said.
"We've been looking to get her up over a bit more ground so the mile should suit her this time.
"She went out last spell as a horse with issues but we're quite happy with the way she's come back. She's training well.
"Open handicaps are always strong but we're quite optimistic that she'll run a good race."
Eleanor Webster-Hawes will take the ride on Annecy from gate seven of nine on Friday.
She has been a regular for the Ryans and rode Annecy to her most recent win, which came at the Dubbo track in April of last year.
Brett Thompson's top weight runner Sugar Dance will be the one to watch in the race as he hunts for a third straight win.
Sugar Dance was hugely impressive when winning at Wellington last week and will go from gate five on Friday, again with apprentice Atsu Maeda in the saddle.
Sugar Dance was a $2.80 favourite on Friday morning, while Annecy was an $11 hope.
Second on the line of betting was A Martin Placepick, the consistent gelding from the Coonamble stables of Cec Hodgson.
A Martin Placepick sat at $3.50 on Friday morning, having caught the eye when running second to Thompson's star at Wellington.
Among the other main early chances were the Rodney Northam-trained Cool And Neat ($4.60), who ran second in the recent Gooree Cup at Mudgee and also has a win at Scone this preparation.
Clint Lundholm's Any Blinkin' Day was the only other hope in the single figure odds on Friday and sat at $8.50. The veteran has had mixed form lately but has scored a strong win at Narromine this preparation.
The Rhino Cup is the fifth event on a bumper card on Friday and jumps at 2.50pm.