It's been a long time between drinks for Barry Molloy.
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The Forbes trainer has enjoyed a long and successful career but winning another cup at his home track on Monday could go top of the list.
Molloy won a Forbes Cup more than 30 years ago with Gold Fallacy and while there's been plenty of runners in the feature since he's never been able to get his hands on the silverware again.
But he's set to be in the mix during Sunday's edition, with the improving Caszar to contest the 1600m event worth $32,000.
Presenting a challenge to the skilful trainer, Caszar did a lot of things wrong in the early stages of his career and took nine starts before winning for the first time at Cowra.
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Since then Caszar has won another three races and been in the placings numerous times and accumulated $88,000 in prizemoney.
Due to a tendency to settle well back in the field, Caszar has been unlucky to not win on several occasions and recently ran successive second placings at Parkes, Wellington and Mudgee when finishing very strongly.
At the most recent outing Caszar ran fifth in an outstanding field at Wellington, and in a show of confidence champion jockey Greg Ryan has chosen to take the mount again in Monday's feature race.
All of the wins for Caszar have been over 1400 metres, however the gelding has placed over 1600m.
Despite the racing pattern of Caszar and the need for a little luck the veteran trainer is cautiously optimistic and last week said he "would be satisfied to see the horse run a good race".
Ryan rode Steamin' to victory in last year's Forbes Cup for Wellington trainer Michael Mulholland.
Mulholland will be back to defend his crown on Monday, this time with the rapidly improving The Sledgehammer, which will be ridden by in-form ith mature age apprentice Kath Bell-Pitomac.
A fast pace is expected in the cup with both Highly Desired and Mackellar's Love being noted front runners.
Trained at Gosford by Luke Hilton, Highly Desired led until the final stride when beaten a short half head by A Magic Zariz when resuming from a spell at Wellington last time out while Mackellar's Love, trained by Cheryl Crockett, led for home when winning the Gilgandra Cup, Cowra Cup and the Lion Cup at her home track of Mudgee in the past year.
The Keith Dryden-trained Gunga Din, last start winner of the Narrandera Cup, was a $3.60 favourite on Sunday.
The first of nine races on Monday jumps at 12pm with the cup eight on the card at 4.25pm.