Attempting to break four-year drought

CONNECTIONS of Urbadboy hope Saturday night's program is an omen for the former promising youngster to return to the winners' circle.

Notching seven victories during his debut term as a three-year-old, Urbadboy's successes include the Southern Cross Final at the same venue.

Found to have broken a pedal bone shortly after, the Andrew Clarke-owned and trained gelding spent 18 months on the sidelines.

Urbadboy's comeback only lasted two starts before injury struck again.

"He broke his pedal bone four years ago and I've been battling with it ever since," Clarke said. "I thought I had him back 18 months ago, then he developed splints on his shins and I've been battling that too.

"It has been a long road getting him into some better form, but we can only try!"

Although Urbadboy has produced some consistent performances, he has been winless since his Southern Cross triumph in December 2020.

Set to tackle this weekend 's open age edition, Urbadboy has drawn to settle in a prominent position from barrier four.

"Hopefully he can break a long drought from the winners' circle on Saturday night," Clarke said. "He is going to need a lot of luck if he is going to do that."

Clarke will also be represented by Urbadboy's younger half-brother Aintsobad, which is prepared by prominent horseman Toby Ryan.

Boasting five wins and a second from his last six starts, Aintsobad is a $1.80 favourite depite drawing the outside of the front row.

"Aintsobad is possibly the best I have bred in nearly 60 year in the game," Clarke said. "He is the one to beat even from the draw.

"He's developing into the ultimate racehorse as he can lead, do it tough or come from behind.

"How much improvement he has in him I don't know, but I expect him to be a country cups horse in Victoria next season."