Mark Kavanagh has high hopes for Flemington this Saturday

Mark Kavanagh will once again come to Flemington with an army of runners for this Saturday’s meet.

Included in his group of talented horses is Shadowfax, who has won his last two starts by a combined nine lengths.

The five-year-old gelding, who is one of Kavanagh’s New Zealand imports, will be running  a 200 metre shorter distance in this race than in his most recent win.

“I’m not really worried because, at the end of the day, he’s had a month between runs, so he has freshened up a bit,” Kavanagh said.

The trainer is hopeful that Shadowfax will progress to the final of the winter series when he competes in the $75,000 Winter Championship Heat this weekend.

“He is being set for the final of the winter series, but he has trained on beautifully,” he said.

Kavanagh will also saddle up the Elusive Quality five-year-old Elusive Touch in the 1,000 metre event of the day.

The trainer is hopeful the horse can put an end to his disappointing first-up record, with Elusive Touch winning only one of his three first-up races.

“He has a bit of weight (58.5kg) and he’s got a chequered record first-up,” Kavanagh said.

“So he normally needs a run, but I’m happy with him over the 1000 metres.

“Certainly I would think he has got a nice each-way chance.”

Set And Forget and Gig Guide will also be representing Kavanagh at Flemington on Saturday.

“They’re fringe-dwellers that are around the mark in a race like that,” Kavanagh said.

“They’re both yet to win in the metro area, but they’re both progressive young horses.”