Locals face 'uphill battle' in Cup

LOCALS face an "uphill battle" in their quest to keep the Mount Gambier Gold Cup at 'home'.

A field of nine will contest tomorrow night's $18,000 event, with five runners coming from across the border.

If that's not enough, the quintet also dominates betting markets, led by Keayang Payton at $2.20 from barrier two.

As for the local defence, Steven Fennell will lead the resistance with three starters in the provincial feature.

Fennell's trio includes heat winner, Spook Crocker, which has thrived since joining Fennell's team.

Capturing his qualifier in 1:59.1 after racing in the 'death seat', Spook Crocker boasts four wins and a second from six starts for Fennell.

To be driven by Mark Phillips, Spook Crocker will begin from barrier eight - which is two on the second row.

Fennell also has Case Forty Eight in seven and Ocean Avenue drawn four.

"Spook's draw is not too bad really as he should be able to push through at the start," Fennell said. "The Lees' horse (Keayang Payton) is in two and gets out quite well, so hopefully we can follow it early.

"The inside of the back row will make it hard for Case Forty Eight, but Ocean Avenue comes into three with the emergency out and has a chance to use his gate speed to find a nice spot at the start.

"Going off his heat win, which was pretty strong, Spook would still be my best chance."

Neil Shepherd prepares the remaining local chance, Rockabilly Ringo, which has drawn barrier nine.

Winner of his last two starts before heading for a spell, Rockabilly Ringo was a handy fourth in his heat when first-up for five months.