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Brighton trainer John Luttrell targeted the Longford Cup for his in-form mare Encosta Fiorente over a month ago and on Saturday he is hoping his plan is realised and she can snare him his first success in the race.

In Brief

• Talented mare Encosta Fiorente could give Brighton trainer his first Longford Cup,
• Mare has won her past three and is in career-best form.
• Blacker pins hopes on Super Swoop.

Encosta Fiorente has won her past three and has won over distances ranging from 1390m to 2400m, but the only downside is she hasn't been on the Longford track since her first trial almost three years ago.

However, John Luttrell says that is of little consequence as his mare has developed into a professional racehorse with an incredible will to win.

"After her last win in Launceston over 2400m I gave her a few days off and it did her the world of good and her trackwork has been every bit as good as it was prior to her recent wins and dropping back in distance (1800m) won't be an issue," trainer John Luttrell said.

Encosta Fiorente has the versatility to race on the speed or take a sit back in the field, an advantage she has over many of the field of 10 and apprentice Taylor Johnstone's three-kilogram claim will allow the mare to carry only 51kg.

With Longford trainer John Blacker unsure whether to run last season's top three-year-old Swop Dog and his last-start winner Argyle Beach at Longford or Devonport (next Wednesday), and with Glenn Stevenson's Gregorian Chant already scratched, bookmakers are likely to offer short odds about Luttrell's five-year-old mare.

Blacker has the best record of taking home the Longford Cup trophy than any trainer currently registered and if Swoop Dog and Argyle Beach do come out, of his three remaining runners in the race, he leans towards former Victorian Super Swoop.

The seven-year-old gelding comes off a last-start third to The Risk Factor over 2100m in Launceston, but he is trained on the Longford track and Blacker says he is ready to win.

"I can't fault Super Swoop's work this past week and his last gallop was his best this time in," Blacker said

Super Swoop arrived from the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas stable in South Australia in September last year with the hopes he would measure up in Tasmania's major cups.

The gelding won a BM66 at his third start for Blacker and went on to win the Brighton Cup at his next outing, but he failed to flatter in the Hobart Cup and went for a spell.

He has had five starts this time in and his two minor placings were full of merit and Siggy Carr is booked to ride.

Blacker also saddles up General Maintenance and the enigmatic Costero that is capable on his day and two of his past three starts in BM62 grade have been encouraging.

General Maintenance has failed at his past two starts over 1600m Launceston and Devonport, but he will appreciate the extra distance (1880m).

The Tegan Keys-trained So Astounding has placed at his past five starts over 1600m and he too should appreciate stepping up in distance.

The Alana Fulton-trained Perun has been a quiet achiever winning the odd race here and there, but he's been a prolific placegetter and should not be overlooked.