By MARK RAYNER

Coonamble trainer John Lundholm will be hoping that his veteran gelding Canterdown can break a drought that has lasted nine races when he contests the Orange Cup 28 March 2010 Benchmark 70 Handicap (2010 metres) today.

It's been a long time between wins for the nine-year-old but he has has a proven record on the Bathurst track, winning seven of the 17 races he has contested at the track including a Bathurst Cup in 2006 and again in 2009.

"I think he likes the track," the trainer said.

"He had most of his runs there early in the piece but he has done very well. I think he had three wins there last year and he won both the Bathurst and Orange Cup, I think he is one of only two horses to win them both in the same year."

His last race at Tyers Park on February 19 wasn't his best with the gelding having to settle for last place but Lundholm believes that the 1800 metre race didn't suit him.

"I think the distance was a bit short for him, he usually leads but they got out and he was working too hard trying to catch them," he said.

"He's nine-years-old so it takes him a while to come back to form but he does well over the longer distances.

There is only a field of five entered in today's race but Lundholm believes there is is plenty of quality and said the Ken Parsons-trained Mosseltov would be the biggest danger.

"The top weighted horse will be hard to beat, he has shown some pretty good form lately," he said.

Garry Frazer's Mr Latar will start the race as $2 favourite with MOsseltov on the second line of betting at $2.50. Canterdown is considered a $6 chance.

Lundholm said he wouldn't have any specific instructions for jockey Kacie Chater, who is a regular rider of the gelding and had been in the saddle for everyone of his races since the beginning of last year. He said she would know how to handle him.

"She knows him but if there is a lot of pressure he will go quietly but if they are looking for someone to lead then he will get out there," he said.