Prince Of Helena will look to add another Country Cup to Craig Weeding’s mantlepiece when racing at Wodonga on Friday.

Taking on the $100,000 Bet365 Wodonga Gold Cup (1590m), bookmakers have installed the talented 8YO as a $6.50 chance in the very open event.

Stable jockey Jake Duffy takes the ride, and with just 54kg on his back, Prince Of Helena draws nicely with gate two.

A nine-time winner, having earned just shy of $400,000 in prize money, the Sidestep gelding was back to his best last start, finishing a gallant second in the Tatura Cup.

Finding himself in an unusual position of leading the 1450m event, Prince Of Helena tried hard in defeat, going down by a length to Steal The Sun.

Up in distance at Wodonga, Prince Of Helena will be better suited to more ground and an event with much more early speed.

In the second feature race on the Wodonga program, the Premier Building and Construction Dunstan Sprint (1300m), up-and-coming stable star Make It Sweet resumes from a short let-up.

Having won four on the trot, including a treble of victories to commence her most recent preparation, the 4YO rose through the grades and kept finding more for connections.

At Wodonga, Make It Sweet is drawn awkwardly in gate 11 and with 60kg, but with Jake Duffy in the saddle, she’s every chance for the team.

On a big day for the stable, Ruperts Red Rocket steps up in distance when contesting the Carlton Draught Ollie Cox Memorial Benchmark 64 Handicap (2050m).

After racing at Moonee Valley last start, the 6YO four-time winner draws gate seven and has Duffy’s services.

Rounding out the team’s chances at Wodonga is Mentalia in the Blacklocks GWM Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

Milos Bunjevac takes the ride for the Weeding Racing team, and connections draw wide with gate 11.

If the 4YO can rediscover the same form that saw him win his first two starts at Leeton and Cootamundra, the Menari gelding is another live chance.

Craig and the team are off to Wagga the following day, where they have three chances.

No Quarantine (Sarah McDonough, gate 1) and Maid In Dubai (Jake Duffy, gate 11) take on the Viewco Xmas Party Cup Benchmark 50 Handicap (1200m), and Heavenly Prophet (Jake Duffy, gate 4) will resume in the Riverina Motor Group Benchmark 50 Handicap (1065m).

Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Daily Advertiser