It will be Our Uncle Sam's fourth tilt in the annual Group 2 feature and while it is a race he not been able to conquer, he has come close.

When the Chris Frisby trained and Anthony Frisby driven gelding made his first appearance in the feature race in 2019, he came from three back on the pegs to run a 1.4m third to Im Pats Delight.

Twelve months later Our Uncle Sam got even closer, this time denied victory by a head.

Last year, this time with Zac Phillips in the gig, Our Uncle Sam came from five back on the pegs at the bell to place fourth.

It is the sort of record which means the now eight-year-old can still be viewed as a threat for this Saturday's edition of the $60,000 feature even though favouritism will lie elsewhere.

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Lochinvar Art, a horse many regard as Australia's finest, will make his return from injury with his first run in almost a year. He holds the track record for the 2,690 metres trip - 1:56.1 he clocked when winning the 2021 Shepparton Gold Cup.

Andy Gath's Tango Tara will be hard to beat after drawing barrier one while Bathurst Inter Dominion heat winner Spirit Of St Louis - who also won last week's Bendigo Cup - will go from gate five.

Our Uncle Sam has drawn gate four in what will be his first run since last December's Inter Dominion Grand Final.

However, he did show a good turn of speed in a trial at Bathurst on January 10 when coming from the rear of the field to win thanks to a 26.8 seconds final sectional.

The Shepparton Gold Cup is set for 9.40pm.

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