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Noted Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher is looking forward to adding to his strong NSW strike rate with his first starter at a Wagga Cup carnival on Friday.

Maher, who has tasted success in several notable NSW events, will start Pemberley in Friday’s $150,000 Wagga Gold Cup (2000m).

Maher has only had a total of 31 starters in NSW races for four wins and 10 placings. His major wins include the recent BMW at Rosehil with his top mare Jameka, the G1 Queen Of The Turf with Azkadellia in 2016 and the 2013 Grafton Cup with Mr O’Çeirin.

However he had never considered the Wagga Cup in past years as it clashes with his home town Warrnambool’s three-day carnival.

Now based at Caulfield, Maher feels the Wagga Cup is a perfect second-up race for Pemberley following his resuming effort over 1600m at Caulfield on April 15.

Pemberley, a winner of six races up to 2050m, made up ground to finish fifth and Maher is confident he will run well over Friday’s extra trip.

“The race is perfect for Pemberley, he is well weighted and in good form,” Maher said.

“it fits in well for him at his second run back. I place my horses where I think they can win and he is ready to run a big race.

“The timing is perfect as he is likely to continue on to Queensland.”

Jay Ford has picked up the Wagga Cup ride on Pemberley, getting a late call from Maher after Tye Angland had to forfeit the ride due the gelding’s handicap of 54.5kg being below his riding weight.

Pemberley is one of four Victorian-trained horses who head the Wagga Cup field.

Angland now rides the the Matt Cumani-trained import Grey Lion, a starter in last year’s Melbourne Cup where he finished 14th after finishing second in the Geelong Cup.

Grey Lion is the topweight with 58kg and is followed in the racebook order by Jacquinot Bay from the Lindsay Park stable, Cool Chap (Lee and Anthony Freedman) and Pemberley.

Cool Chap, to be ridden by Tommy Berry, deserves a win after finishing second in four of his last five starts including the Canberra and Albury Cups at his last two outings.

However the Victorians are outnumbered by a big contingent of runners from Sydney stables with Chris Waller leading the way with two starters Life Less Ordinary (Kerrin McEvoy) and Montauk (Tim Clark).

Waller, who won his first Wagga Cup in 2014 with Trade Commissioner, has his runners in the right form after both finished second in their most recent starts in Sydney.

The other Sydney-trained acceptors are Stampede (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott), Danjeu (John Thompson) and My Psychiatrist (Joe Pride). Jason Coyle has scratched More Energy.

Waterhouse, who has not won the Wagga Cup since her only success in 2001, has rewarded successful female rider Rachel King with the ride on Stampede.