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Canberra based trainer Nick Olive is yet to win the Snake Gully Cup, but remains confident he can finally break through on Friday afternoon.

Having gone agonisingly close in recent years, Olive will saddle up both Without A Shadow and Nat King Cu in the feature event.

"I've been trying to win a Snake Gully Cup for a number of years now, I've run second a few times, so I'm hoping we can come away with the win this year," Olive said.

"We're going into the race with a pretty strong hand, so I'm hoping we can have a bit of luck."

Former stable star Capital Commander finished second in 2012, with Olive hoping improving mare Without A Shadow can go one better this time around.

Though disappointing at Randwick two back, the daughter of Not A Single Doubt was back to her best, when finishing second at Rosehill last start.

"She's [Without A Shadow] is going fabulous, I couldn't fault her at the moment," Olive said.

"I probably just backed her up too quick [10 days] at Randwick, she didn't appreciate it.

"Spacing her runs looks to be the key to her, going into her races a bit big and fresh seems to be working and I couldn't be happier with her."

A noted performer when leading, Olive said he is yet to decide their intentions on Friday, but expects Without A Shadow to be positive.

"She doesn't have to lead, but I expect her to be up on the speed and she'll definitely make use of the barrier," Olive said.

Although disappointing last start, Olive felt Nat King Cu can also make his presence felt.

"He's freshened up super since he failed at Wagga over the mile, that race wasn't run to suit him that day," Olive said.

"He's probably not in the same class as Without A Shadow, but I think he is going as good as I've ever had him.

"He just needs the right sort of run, he needs a great ride from Jeff [Penza] and he should be super competitive as well."

In a similar mould to Without A Shadow, Olive felt Nat King Cu is also at his best when kept fresh.

"He's another horse who appreciates being that little bit fresh as well," Olive said.

"We've freshened him right up for this race and he is jumping out of his skin, his work has been tremendous.

Unable to fault his two horses, Olive heads to Gundagai with an air of confidence.

"At Gundagai you sort of need to get the right run, but I'm really happy with our two horses going into the race," Olive said.

"Hopefully we can get half a chance and half a bit of luck on the day and I think we'll be very close to the pointy end of the race."