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By Neil Evans

A tough and sparingly raced five-year-old can reboot a spring campaign towards bigger targets when he tackles a competitive Wellington Sand & Gravel Benchmark 58 Handicap at Monday's feature Wellington meeting.

Naval Destroyer ($5.50 on TAB), a son of Group 1 winner Merchant Navy in the Cameron Crockett yard at Scone, could even ignite a last ditch bid to make the Dubbo Gold Cup field on September 29 if he puts this field away convincingly.

Naval Destroyer (Jake Pracey-Holmes) lands the money at Dubbo. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

And with blinkers going on for the first time, the weather might also do him a big favour.

On a giant and open nine-race card much needed sunny weather over the last few days should see the surface start on a Soft 6 or possibly even firmer.

Naval Destroyer, still with only one win yet five placings from 10 starts, has always produced his best on firmer ground.

That was evident when he floundered late resuming in a strong Class 2 Hcp at Dubbo three weeks ago, failing to finish off through very chopped up ground after being heavily backed from $4 into $2.90.

Drawn a little further out this time on a more reliable surface, and with more work behind him, Naval Destroyer can recapture the form that saw him beat some smart country maidens last prep.

He is likely to be set for a feature Showcase country race deeper into spring if all goes to plan.

Naval Destroyer could be a part of a 1-2 late punch for the Crockett stable, with lightly raced six-year-old Taborca ($4.40) resuming in the penultimate Keirle's Speedy Recovery Malcolm Brown BM 58 Hcp over 1100m.

A talented yet troubled galloper, Taborca has had only four runs since bolting in his maiden at Tamworth more than two years ago.

In fact, he was off the scene for nearly 17 months before resuming with two average runs last December and into New Year.

He then went amiss again in a Class 1 at Scone in June, but if patience and persistence counts for anything, Wellington can shine new light on a career that's been in waiting for so long.

Just 12 days ago, Taborca gave connections renewed hope when he blitzed a handy trial field in heavy ground by more than two lengths and has the blinkers back on.

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