What the Tony Campbell Memorial Cup means to Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary

The gelding was the first locally-trained horse to win the prestigious race at Thoroughbred Park and Campbell's thrilling call remains etched in Canberra racing history.

But that's just one reason why the Tony Campbell Memorial Cup "means a hell of a lot" to the Cleary family.

Cleary's parents, Frank and Sue, nursed Campbell back to health when he first battled cancer.

"Tony was a great friend to my parents," Cleary said.

"When Tony fell ill he actually lived with us the first time around and my mum was by his side the whole time. But then he got ill again and away he went. It's a race where I've always tried to find a runner."

Cleary won the annual race with War Jet in 2015 and has nominated five-year-old gelding Bart for this year's edition.

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But Nick Olive-trained Bring A Secret will be shooting for his third straight Tony Campbell Memorial Cup on Friday, while Matthew Dale's Coup De Main is yet to miss the podium.

"Bart will probably go around double-figure odds but I have him primed as best as I can for him to run a cracker of a race," Cleary said.

"Personally, I think Bring A Secret is the horse to beat and it's a race Nick likes to win.

"He's won it in the past, but he's also a darn good bloke and trainer. He always has a target horse in this race and I have a very healthy respect for Bring A Secret, but just to have a runner on the race to represent the Cleary family is something I look forward to every year."

Meanwhile, Cleary has secured Victorian jockey Mark Zahra to ride Up Trumpz at the Kosciuszko next week.

The five-year-old gelding will have his final gallop before the $1.3 million race at Queanbeyan Racing Club on Monday.

"Everything has gone according to plan and we're really looking forward to the day," Cleary said.

"We're not one of the favourites so we're going there under no pressure whatsoever.

"I'll have the horse peaking on the day and he'll be spot on for the Shires family. We're going to enjoy the day and be part of what is a fantastic concept."

SCORSES' SAUCE

Former leading jockey John Scorse provides all the tips you need for Canberra's race meet on Friday:

Best bet: Race 6, No.7 Denmiss: Just went under last time in very strong federal, drawn to get the favours and has a powerful finish, looks the winner.

Best roughie: Race 7, No.2 Malthouse: Coming straight from a maiden to a BM 60 never easy but should take great improvement from debut performance

Race one: 1st: No.6 Olmeto: Only lightly raced but on the improve, jumped up 600m in trip last time, can improve again. 2nd: No.5 Time Stamp: On a six day back up and out in trip, will be on speed and the stable horses are always hard to run down. 3rd: No.4 Street Cred: Caught the eye with a strong finish from back last time, has claims here. 4th: No.2 Opera Tickets: Exotics chance.

Race two: 1st: No.8 Zoumaze: Should be at peak after three runs and blinkers come off here, this is not as strong as her recent races. 2nd: No.1 Duchess of Windsor: Thought she would have won a maiden by now but presents well third up, no luck last time but ideally drawn. 3rd: No.7 November Morning: Yet to be placed but back in grade here, drawn to get the favours. 4th: No.6 Inside Trader: Could be the knockout.

Race three: 1st: No.1 Oslo: From the leading yard and placed two of four, no luck last time and not beaten far, extra trip suits. 2nd: No.6 Nahab: Well bred filly from a leading yard, back a 100m suits her. 3rd: No.5 Gambler's Quest: Lead and boxed on strongly last time, will be prominent from good gate. 4th: No.3 Balladeer: Watch market.

Race four: 1st: No.3 Chapelis: Finished strongly last time from well back, she should be at her peak now and can repeat the dose. 2nd: No.1 Single Story: Well beaten when resuming from a long break last time, earlier form very good for a race like this. 3rd: No.6 Rheingau: Solid effort first run for new yard last time, drawn well, step up in distance should suit. 4th: No.2 Karmazone: Next best.

Race five: 1st: No.1 Romeo Villa: Smart type with a very good first up record, well placed with the claim and hard to beat here. 2nd: No.9 Calescent: Lightly raced but very fast, will give them something to chase her with the light weight. 3rd: No.2 Hard Core: Better for two runs this prep and drawn to get all the favours. 4th: No.10 No What To Keep: Next best.

Race six: 1st: No.7 Denmiss: Super consistent mare who just went under last start, ideally drawn and very hard to beat here. 2nd: No.10 Supreme Lad: Solid effort when resuming, does race well second up and is well placed. 3rd: No.5 Irish Lucy: Speedy mare placed two of three first up attempts, will lead for a long way. 4th: No.4 Te Ata: Next best.

Race seven: 1st: No.1 Monte Majura: Hasn't missed a place last five, big performance first up, hard to beat with a repeat of that effort. 2nd: No.2 Malthouse: Very strong effort to win on debut over this trip, will take great improvement. 3rd: No.6 Balonne: Hard to catch but has a good chance on his best form. 4th: No.7 Gypsy Flyer: Up in grade but racing well.

Race eight: 1st: No.8 Sausedge: Smart mare who resumed with very solid win last time, unbeaten second up and looks the one. 2nd: No.6 Coup de Main: Should be at peak third run this time in, huge drop in weight gives him a big chance here. 3rd: No.3 Bring A Secret: Grand campaigner who loves this track and ideally drawn. 4th: No.2 Who's Knocking: Unbeaten second up and well drawn here don't take lightly.

Race nine: 1st: No.7 Inceptive: Well fancied and most unlucky on debut, resuming here, looks hard to beat. 2nd: No.4 Joy And Mirth: Placed all runs last prep, not much luck in very strong race first up, looks a major player. 3rd: No. 10 Down The River: Trialled well but found the trip to short on debut, will be better for the experience and extra trip suits. 4th: No.5 Modernity: Next best.