IF persistence earns you rewards then Ruth Matic and Clonakilty Man will be celebrating after this Sunday’s Workers Club Goulburn Cup (457m).
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Canyonleigh trainer Matic is aiming for a third victory in the $10,000-to-the-winner race, with her sprinter jumping from box one in what looks a terrific decider.
Clonakilty Man is a solid sprinter on his day but only returned from a 10-week injury lay-off for last week’s heats.
He produced a solid run to make the final and Matic said he can go even better this time around.
“We said we will get him in the Goulburn Cup,” she said. “I’ve won it twice before and we wanted another go this year.
“He has not had much work but it’s nice that we got him here.
“I was rapt with his run last week and he should improve from that provided he holds up.”
Clonakilty Man has endured an injury-hampered career but is a class performer at this level. The chaser has gone 25.41 at the track – the best of the field – and has recorded eight wins and 13 placings from 34 starts.
He went close to the track record and defeated a handy field containing fellow Goulburn Cup finalist Natural Player in September but injured a stopper tendon in the process.
Clonakilty Man also has a decent record from the inside box although Matic said it may not be so helpful here.
“I really wanted three or five,” she said. “His best times have come from box five.
“He doesn’t jump well (and) it is a corner start at Goulburn and a bit of a bend, which won’t suit him.
“(But) he is the fastest dog in the race and I have no worries with him being fresh. “He is a fast dog and he deserves to win a decent race like this.”
This year’s final should be a cracker, with all eight finalists having genuine claims.
The big danger looks like super sprinter Silent Effective (box six – pictured above), who returned from a two-month injury break to win his heat impressively last week.
Western Sydney trainer Mark Wilcox has two chances, with Natural Player in box two and box five’s Highly Respected both one-turn track specialists and strong contenders.
Ten races are on the card on what should be a superb day of entertainment on and off the track at Goulburn.
Racing starts at 4.12pm.
For Goulburn Sunday fields, form and expert picks, visit www.thedogs.com.au.