Matthew McGuire on a Mission for Cups double

By Garry Dell

Townsville trainer Matthew McGuire is hopeful giant galloper Mission House can give him his second Cup win for the month in the $32,500 Ewan Cup on Friday.

The five-year-old The Mission gelding scored a victory in the Prairie Cup on September 7 and McGuire is confident going into Friday's feature of the two-day annual Ewan program.

"He finished a close second to Vadamos Queen over 1830 metres at his start previous to Prairie and was only collared in the final 50 metres," McGuire said.

"The tight tracks suit his style of racing of leading and winding up a long way from home. He likes to set a fast pace in front and can sprint virtually from the 800 metre mark.

"We knew when we got him as a yearling that he would take time to mature and he is now reaching maturity and knows what it's all about. He's a big loose horse who needs a strong rider to keep him stoked up once he starts his long run for home.

"He doesn't necessarily have to lead but that style suits him and why change a winning formula.

"Depending on how he comes through Friday's race, we might have a look at the Country Cups Challenge races to maybe qualify for the Final in Brisbane later in the year."

McGuire, who has 54 wins to his credit in a comparatively short career, has a big team of horses entered for the Ewan program over the two days.

"I've got 16 horses in the stables at the moment with another couple arriving this week so the future is looking bright," McGuire said

"Dad (Patrick McGuire) has a couple of new young ones arriving soon so we are ready for the resumption of Cluden Park meetings following track renovations.

"In the meantime, we have been racing a fair bit at the country meetings and had success with a double at Richmond last month and ran second with Sir Maximus at Cairns Amateurs at the weekend."