William Freedman aiming for back-to-back Dubbo Gold Cup wins

He's just not sure it will be Sunday's $100,000 Dubbo Gold Cup after the newcomer to his Scone stables was dealt a horror draw.

Cinquedea drew gate 19 for Sunday's feature and while he will come in by race time, it's still a blow to Freedman's hopes of winning the event for a second successive year.

"An owner of another horse in another race told me 'Will, you need to change religion because you're getting no love from the barrier draws' and it's seemingly continued here," Freedman told the Daily Liberal.

"It's going to be tough for him from that draw but I'm hoping there's enough pace on that he can settle in the second half of the field.

"I think if he drew a barrier he'd be a lot closer to favouritism than he is. He's got to overcome it but all country cups are hard to win.

"You need a bit of luck and he'll definitely need some."

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While the draw was far from welcome news, there hasn't been any other negative for Cinquedea since arriving at Scone.

Formerly trained by William's father and uncle, the training partnership of Richard and Michael Freedman, Cinquedea has thrived.

The up-and-coming trainer had known the owners through the family connection, and the plan was to move the now six-year-old gelding to the country should he be unable to perform consistently in the city on Saturdays.

"He's absolutely flourished since he came to the country," Freedman said.

"He's a very good type of horse but he can lighten off a little, from my experience with him. Since he's been here it's a bit of a slower pace he's a lot more relaxed and he's feeling really well.

"I'm really happy with where the horse is right now, he's just going to need some luck."

Cinquedea opened an $11 hope for the Gold Cup on Sunday while From The Bush, the new star of Gayna Williams' Bathurst stables, was a $6 favourite.

Regal Stage, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was at $8.50 alongside Kody Nestor's hometown hope Fast Talking.

Freedman won last year's Dubbo Gold Cup with roughie Zaunkonig and is hopeful of more feature success in the coming months.

Following Dubbo's main event, the cup trail heads to the likes of Bathurst, Coonamble, and Coonabarabran in the next couple of months.

"If he doesn't win the Dubbo Cup I'll be surprised if he doesn't find one he can win," Freedman said of Cinquedea.

"I'm very hopeful about him on Sunday. I've prepped him for this race he's ready to go. I can't give him an excuse for running poorly. The only excuse is he has to overcome a poor draw."

Grant Buckley takes the ride on Cinquedea on Sunday.

Freedman will bring four hopes to Dubbo, with Circularity shaping as one to watch in the country-only $40,000 maiden.

Owned by Clive Holt, who also owns star on the rise Zaaki, Circularity is a new addition to the Freedman team after previously being raced by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

"If he gets the right run he'll be right there. He drew a good barrier, which is good and I got lucky there," Freedman added.

The cup headlines a massive 10-race card on Sunday and will jump at 4.30pm.

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