Allan Hughes, a seasoned trainer with a string of provincial cup victories, is hoping to finally win his hometown Geraldton Cup on Sunday with Butterflyrock.

The in-form Galah stayer is on a four-race winning streak and has finished in the top three in her last six starts. Hughes believes this is his best chance yet to claim the coveted Geraldton Cup, a race that has eluded him despite winning every other cup in the Mid-West.

“I’ve won the Meekatharra Cup, Mount Magnet, Yalgoo, and more, but never the Geraldton Cup,” Hughes said. “Everything is falling into place now, and she’s doing it effortlessly. It’s a sign of a good horse.”

Butterflyrock, who joined Hughes’ stable in 2022, has matured into a top-class racehorse after a slow start. Hughes is confident she can feature prominently in the race, having drawn barrier five.

“She’s in great shape, and we’re hoping she’ll be in the first four or five,” he said. “Whatever beats her will be sleeping well that night.”