Chasing Cup glory after two-year absence

BENEFITTING from his first run back from a long break, veteran squaregaiter Daquiri is expected to be a major improver this weekend.

After spending two years away from the track, Daquiri finished at the tail of the field in Melton three weeks ago.

Stating the 10-year-old's fitness has lifted during the interim, trainer Thomas Parnell is confident Daquiri will produce a forward performance in Sunday's Cobram Trotters' Cup.

"We decided to give him a good long break, but it turned out a lot longer than planned," Parnell said. "He had a couple of quarter cracks, which needed time for him to get over, then a few other outside factors also kept him in the paddock.

"His condition gave out during his first run, but he's been working well since and has tightened up.

"He trialled alright in Melton last month behind Sangreal which only just got beaten by a short half-head in Echuca last week, so hopefully that's a good sign of how Daquiri is going."

To be driven by Aussie Mifsud, Daquiri has drawn to settle in a prominent position from barrier two.

"Cobram is my home town, I grew up around that way, so it would be nice to win the Cup or even run a placing," Parnell said. "He won there off 50 metres a few years back, which was pleasing, but a Cup would be something else.

"From two on the front line he gets the chance to slot in somewhere handy and hopefully upset a few,

"Hotspur off 10 metres is the main one to beat, with Hammers Law also a danger from the outside of the 10-metre line."