Gundagai's Snake Gully Cup has been a happy hunting ground for Canberra's trainers but Paul Jones is yet to taste success at the main race of the popular two-day meeting.
His mum and training partner Barbara Joseph has lifted the cup but last year's second place Just A Blur is as close as Jones has come.
![Just A Blur will be chasing the Snake Gully Cup.](/web/20161113201317im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/i/g/e/r/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsmjni.png/1478769337234.jpg)
The stable will take the same mare down the Hume Highway for the Friday race after her disappointing Spring trip to Victoria.
"She's looking very well, we're very happy with how she's come back from Melbourne," Jones said.
"She's worked well since and probably looks fair better in the coat and her condition, and she should be cherry-ripe third up."
Jones said she was ridden "upside down" at Flemington last week and will benefit from having regular rider Matthew Cahill back on board.
As the top weight at 61 kilograms, Just A Blur is carrying six kilograms more than when she went around as the favourite in the 2015 edition of the handicap but Jones said the dry track will be an advantage.
"It was a heavy 10 that year so I'm glad it's not going to be that heavy," he said.
"He's (Cahill)Â just got to navigate a run on her where she doesn't have to stop and start because once the 61 kilos is up and moving it's OK, but when you stop and start, and go again that's where the weight comes in."
Nick Olive's eight-year-old gelding Nat King Cu is a dangerous entrant but Jones said Matthew Dale's mare is the one to watch.
"'Hermosa Beach is carrying a bit of Sydney form and she gets a really good weight release, I would prefer my mare but at the weights it will get a good run in the race and can probably sprint a bit better."