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It has been a winning formula so far which could extend to Wagga on Sunday as Pleasant looks to keep his unbeaten local record intact.

Pleasant previously raced on the New South Wales provincial circuit and prior to this preparation was competing in Victoria.

His new home base at Jerilderie with trainer Phil Sweeney has seen Pleasant produce two local wins – Albury and Corowa – and a sixth in between at Morphettville in South Australia.

Returning to country class in the Wagga Whiz over 1000 metres looked ideal for Pleasant who will again be ridden by Sweeney’s stable apprentice jockey Tyler Schiller.

The 20-year-old has ridden Pleasant in both of his local wins and from barrier two with 56 kilograms on his back after his claim, the galloper could well make it three from three in the Southern Districts.

Sweeney hopes that is the case as Pleasant has excelled at this level to date.

“I have just had to maintain his fitness and iron out a few problems,” he said.

Pleasant wins at Corowa on July 2

Sweeney took over Pleasant’s training for his Hong Kong based owner earlier this year and so far he has been dominant in Benchmark races with more weight than what he will carry on Sunday.

The rise in class against horses like former Albury City Handicap winner Cash Crisis and last start winners Logan River and Eve’s Miss is the unknown with Pleasant.

“He does have a lot of ability and can race anywhere. I haven’t looked beyond this race so I will wait and see how he goes on Sunday,” Sweeney suggested.

Schiller, who hails from Young, has made a strong start to his riding career with 16 winners since he commenced with wins from his first two rides in April.

His three-kilogram claim means Pleasant will carry only two kilograms above the 54 kilogram minimum weight.

Meanwhile, the prospect of more rain and a heavy track won’t bother the connections of Hello My Friend over the grueling 3800 metres of the Riverina Cup.

With rain forecast over the next couple of days, the track could be downgraded from soft which will only favor Hello My Friend.

His past two wins have been on heavy tracks at Warrnambool over 2300 metres, while he is a winner over 4065 metres at the same track.

Hello My Friend has won four of his 15 starts and has race fitness as well as proven distance and wet track capabilities.

Top weight Baby Jack won at Wagga over 2000 metres in May and 2500 metres last month, but the step up to 3800 metres is an unknown as it is with many of the contenders for the longest race held in New South Wales.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Wagga meeting