Lindsay Gough is banking on jockey Robbie Dolan’s significant experience in major Cups to see Cavalry Man perform well on Saturday, despite the gelding’s draw of barrier ten for the Ipswich 2150-metre start.

While the Melbourne Cup is a grander stage, the Ipswich Cup represents a premier event for Queensland racing this weekend.

Cavalry Man, trained by Gough at Eagle Farm, is set to compete in the Listed Ipswich Cup, with the stable aiming for its first black-type victory since 2013.

The gelding’s last start saw him victorious at benchmark 60 level over 1810m at Eagle Farm, starting as a $3 favourite according to leading Aussie betting sites. Gough is now hoping the horse can avoid a lapse in concentration during the race.

“He worked nicely into it but just when they straightened he probably got a bit flat for a few strides,” Gough remarked. “It is hard to say but they might have dashed a little bit quicker than him but he looked the winner from the furlong.”

“He has prepped up well but we have our fingers cross from a sticky draw,” Gough added, referring to barrier ten. “I’ve done my job so it is up to Robbie Dolan now. I’ll leave it to him. He’s competed at the top level winning the Melbourne Cup and he’s ridden more winners than me.

“Ideally we’d like to get some cover.”

For Gough, who oversees a stable of around 15 to 20 horses, there’s a statistical comfort: five of the last ten Ipswich Cups have been won from barriers 10 to 12.

The five-year-old gelding is currently priced at $5 for this event, with Matthew Dunn’s Belvedere Boys the $3.70 favourite according to popular betting apps Australia. Explore the latest racing odds for the Ipswich Cup with online bookmakers.