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Swan Hill trainer Con Kelly says his grand galloper Old Songs is fresh and ready to win his second successive Avoca Cup on Saturday.

“Last year he had had a heap more preparation coming into the race during what was a long campaign,” Kelly said.

“This year he ran first-up in the Pooncarie Cup a couple of weeks ago and that was a pretty good effort.

“He is nice and fresh to defend his title at Avoca and should be right in the firing line, but it does look like it'll be a tougher field than last year.”

Last year Old Songs was second in the Pooncarie Cup before saluting at Avoca, when he took control of the race in the home straight to win by 1.25 lengths.

“He has come back brighter and better than ever. He doesn't know he is an entire, although I'm hoping one day he will, but he is one of nicest horses I've had anything to do with,” Kelly said.

It will be a birthday celebration for the Kelly family as Con's daughter Jessica is travelling from Ballarat to join her Dad and Old Songs at Avoca to toast her 23rd birthday.

Old Songs, now an 8YO, is one of those reliable horses tha continues to bob up at race meetings throughout Victoria and interstate with 13 wins and 23 placings from his 67 starts.