That’s the prediction of his trainer-driver David Moran.
Moran believes Lochinvar Art has enough kilometres in his legs to be competitive despite his lengthy break from the racetrack.
‘‘Sometimes a small field can prove a bit tricky, but I’m sure he will run well,’’ Moran said.
‘‘He’s had plenty of work and seems real good.“
Despite being off the scene for nearly a year and getting the worst possible draw, Lochinvar Art has had two impressive trials for his return to racing.
Moran is confident the million-dollar-winning pacer is forward enough to give the time honoured $60,000 feature a mighty shake.
Moran acknowledges there are some talented rivals to contend with in the field, including recent Inter Dominion finalist and last Saturday night’s impressive Bendigo Cup winner Spirit Of St Louis and the Andy Gath-prepared Tango Tara who has drawn the pole.
‘‘They could be my main dangers,’’ Moran said.
The Belinda McCarthy-trained NSW visitor Spirit Of St Louis has drawn barrier five, but is going to be hard to beat on his Bendigo run.
Another of the NSW raiders Mach Di Vinci ran second at Menangle last Saturday night, beaten just more than 2m in 1:51.9 mile-rate time over the 1609m trip and should be in the race for a long way.
Another of the NSW-prepared pacers, Our Uncle Sam, ran third to Im Pats Delight in the 2019 version of the cup and has not been far away in recent outings, but looks an each-way hope at the best.
The other Shepparton-trained hopes in the race, the Steve O’Donoghue-Bec Bartley-prepared veteran San Carlo and Western Sonador, will be at generous odds and look at best place hopes.
Bartley will drive San Carlo, while top Riverina horseman Blake Jones will partner Western Sonador who could run a cheeky race from a favourable draw.
The other feature on the program, the Derby Royale Trotters Free-For-All, sees the return to racing of the speedy Andy Gath-prepared Majestuoso who is sure to start favourite.
His main dangers could be the classy veteran Sundons Courage, emerging star Powderkeg and Jackson Square, who ran a gallant fourth to Illawong Stardust in Sunday’s Cobram Trotters Cup.
There will be plenty of off-track entertainment for patrons at the meeting.
One lucky racegoer will win $1000 and a punters’ club will operate.
The younger generation will be well catered for with jumping castles and face painting, while live music will also be a feature.
Gus Underwood’s Shepparton Cup selections: Lochinvar Art 1, Tango Tara 2, Spirit Of St Louis 3, Mach Di Vinci 4.
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