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By Graeme White

Louie’s Legacy ($3.80 on TAB) fell one spot short of winning the Bega Cup the last time he raced at the Sapphire Coast and on Thursday he is ideally placed to go one place better in the Lakeview Hotel Merimbula Cup (1600m).

The six-year-old finished three quarters of a length behind Direct Fire last time he raced and stays at the same distance, but rises in the weights by 6kg.

Stablemate One Aye ($15) only beat three horses to the finish in the Bega Cup and is another strong chance for the Joseph-Jones training operation.

Louie's Legacy (Teaghan Martin) in winning touch at Canberra. Image by Bradley Photographers

Canberra trainer Todd Smart believes his representative Loose Love ($6.50) has improved since his first-up win at Parkes over 1400m. The galloper has won twice over a mile and is also a second-up winner.

“He has definitely improved fitness wise from the run and I expect him to be competitive,” Smart said.

“Brodie (Loy) will ride him and that is a big plus the way he has been going since he returned.”

Loy has ridden four winners since his return to the saddle including two at the Bega Cup carnival.

Bega Cup-winning trainer Theresa Bateup is looking to claim the feature double with her runners Victory at Omaha ($16) and Master Riley ($3.70 favourite).

The latter finished second in a Benchmark 66 (1600m) with 61kg and drops 6kg on today.

Victory At Omaha only beat one horse in the Bega Cup and has some lengths to make up to cause a surprise win.

“Master Riley is a lovely horse who steps up from 1400 metres and that will suit him,” she said.

“Victory At Omaha has won twice at the Sapphire Coast and I’m hoping for a better run from him.”

Canberra trainer Rob Potter is enjoying a strong run of success and will line-up with Blow In ($8.50). The four time-metropolitan winner finished fourth at his first start for Potter behind Loose Love.

“I’m still learning with him and he has definitely come on since that run,” he said.

Last start winner Mathrin ($18) is one of five starters Wagga mentor Michael Travers has sent to the Sapphire Coast. His best chances could be early in the program with Jenni Devine ($3) and Roulottie ($6.50).

“Mathrin hasn’t started for a few weeks so that is always a question,” he said. “The other two are close to breaking through and they find suitable races.”

Meanwhile, Smart will have the talented Gundy Guy resuming racing at Wagga on Monday in the SDRA Evergreen Turf Championships Preview Class 4 (1200m).

Topweight Burrandana also makes his way back in the same race as he heads towards the $150,000 Country Championships at Wagga on Saturday 1 March.

Other contenders including Cambar, Canny Hell, Dolly and Rollo from the SDRA will also appear. There will be eight races at Wagga.

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