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By Graeme White

Country Championships winner Asgarda has the statistics to add the $100,000 XXXX Gold Big Dance Eligibility Snake Gully Cup to her resumé at Gundagai on Friday – but she still needs to go out and get the job done.

The barrier draw was favourable for the mare coming up with gate five but she will move in two spots if the emergencies don’t gain a start.

Some rain has the track right for Asgarda with a Soft 5 about spot on for the mare who will be ridden by Billy Owen as he chases his first Snake Gully Cup in his hometown.

Asgarda (Kayla Nisbet) wins the Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

Asgarda is the $2.90 TAB favourite ahead of Cootamundra Cup winner Louie’s Legacy ($5), Zouatica ($6), Harmonious Senora ($8.50) and Body Bob ($8.50).

Wagga trainer Doug Gorrel said he hasn’t asked too much of Asgarda since her last start fourth in Sydney which followed a huge performance to finish fifth in the $2 million The Kosciuszko.

“She is exactly the same fitness wise and she is spot on. Last time was a first for her where she was left in front when nothing else wanted to take up the lead,” he said.

“She won’t lead at Gundagai with a couple of quick horses early and she should get an ideal run from a nice draw where she can just sit off them.”

That likely leader is Zouatica who is a seven times winner from 18 starts and include four victories at nine runs over 1400m.

He will represent the Joseph/Jones stable who also prepare Louie’s Legacy as they chase another win in the Gundagai feature.

They won the race two years ago with Super Helpful who went onto to finish third in The Big Dance at Royal Randwick.

It was the same path taken by last year’s winner Suparazi who also ran third in The Big Dance last week.

Suparazi’s trainer Ben Brisbourne has the first emergency Princess Nefertiti ($13) running Friday, while jockey Nick Heywood (first last year) will partner Wild Chap ($41).

Baledon ($16) is a threat at his second start back from a spell with five top three finishes from 10 attempts at 1400m. Jockey Jason Lyon will be riding for the first since August when he takes the mount.

Body Bob excelled last start at Wagga and is drawn to jump from next to Zouatica which will give jockey Rebecca Bronett Prag a few options.

Asgarda’s jockey Billy Owen has won two Gundagai Cups, but never the Snake Gully Cup after a few attempts: “It’s our big race and being from Gundagai means a lot – to win it would be something else,” he said.

The hope of winning not only the Snake Gully Cup, but also his first race at the track is a real possibility for Zouatica’s jockey Patrick Scorse.

“I have never won a race there so I’m hoping to break that on Friday,” he said. “My father (John) won the Snake Gully Cup as a jockey and the stable has won the race a few times so it would be nice to win it.”

Bellestic Kids ran second for Joseph-Jones last year with Paul Jones stating their duo were on target.

“Louie’s Legacy couldn’t be going better and with Quayde [Krogh] aboard he has a great hope although he is drawn out a bit [gate 14],” he said. “Zouatica has a bit of class and will give a great sight on his best form.”

Over the eight races, there is $395,000 prizemoney on offer with a $50,000 Super Maiden and the $50,000 Bellette’s Bulk Bins The Tuckerbox (1000m) other feature races.

Mr Moppett ($5) has won the race for the past two years with 2022 winning jockey Jeff Penza back in the saddle.

Gundagai has also named the Benchmark 58 (1400m) after the late sports broadcaster David Morrow who was a regular at Gundagai and loved the two days of racing and associated activities.

It all kicks off at Gundagai on Thursday with a golf day followed by the popular cup Calcutta that evening.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Gundagai here