Anthony Cavallo's had a long-standing relationship with Orange trainer Alison Smith and on Friday at Towac Park, the veteran hoop hopes to help her out of what's been an underwhelming winter of results.
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It's been a tricky time at the track for the mentor in 2020 but there's reason to believe a breakthrough is on the way... especially when you take a look at Vaquero's form.
The five-year-old is set to race in the $22,000 On-trac AG Class 2 Handicap (1400m) after he was denied the opportunity to continue his preparation in the last hometown meeting as thunderstorms brought an end to the event.
He was a $4 chance in the lead-up to that race and you can expect him to open up somewhere around that quota for Friday's event.
The journey will be the third of his preparation after a promising effort over the 1280m at Towac Park on December 14 as he came home like a house on fire to claim second place.
The result kept his streak of top-three finishes on home soil intact and Cavallo sees no reason why the big boy can't go one better this time around.
"He's improving with every run which is what Alison wants him to do," Cavallo said.
"He'll appreciate the 1400m. He missed the run last week but I'm sure he'll still be fit enough."
Smith's had a hard time with barrier draws this year and while seven doesn't normally lead to a dream run, Choc thinks the wide spot suits him. "He's a big horse and he likes a bit of room," he said. "I don't think it's a bad draw for him."
Friday's journey marks the tenth time Cavallo has steered Vaquero through a race as he's been on him for both of his career wins at Dubbo and then Orange.
Cavallo will also ride MyBullet and Suomenlinna for Smith on Friday.
Regardless of how he fares results-wise, the jockey's keen to have a crack at the Towac track, a venue that he thinks is much improved in recent times.
"It's a nice big track and it's got the new sprinkler system," he said.
"It usually attracts some good trainers from Sydney," he said.
Racing kicks off at 1pm.
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