Hugh Bowman is more than happy to be riding the Chris Waller-trained Illo in the $140,000 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup - a race the champion Sydney jockey is yet to win in his celebrated career.

"I've won three Town Plates at Wagga but the Wagga Cup is a race I'd love to win," Bowman said. "Illo looks well placed to me."

"Reading between the lines I think Chris has targeted this race for the owners who come from down that way.

Illo, a former German galloper, is part-owned By Richard Pegum.

Waller, Sydney's leading trainer, will saddle up two imports in the Cup with joined in the race by Moriarty.

Bowman admitted he didn't have the choice of rides.

"If I did I'd want to ride Illo," he said. "I've had a bit to do with Moriarty too. I won a Gosford Cup on him.

"Illo has a good weight (58kg), a good barrier (five) and he gave me a really good feel in the trial the other day.

"At this point it all looks good.

"He might just have a class edge on them. That's the way Im thinking anyhow."

Illo and Moriarty both resumed in the Doncaster Prelude (1600m) at Randwick on April 13, Illo finishing third, beaten a half neck and 1.3 lengths behind Skyerush and Moriarty fifth, beaten 2.1 lengths.

Illo was badly held up at the 300m before angling five wide and finishing with great gusto. Moriarty, who initially settled well back, fanned wide on straightening and made ground without threatening.

"Illo's run was a real eye-catcher," Bowman said.

Typical of Waller's successful regime with imported gallopers, he has kept the pair fresh but both trialled over 1200m at Warwick Farm on April 26 to keep them up to the mark.

"It was just a day out for both of them," Bowman who rode both gallopers in the trials, said.