Standing 17.1 hands and tipping the scales at 630 kilos, equine giant Rab casts an imposing figure.For Albury trainer Brett Cavanough however, tapping into the gelding's raw ability has tested his mettle.Rab lines up in the Alburyracing.com.au Benchmark 70 Hcp (1175m) with Richard Bensley in the saddle on his home track on Monday.In a career limited to six starts, the son of Fastnet Rock has strung together three wins and a third.The race represents a class rise for Rab against well performed an

Standing 17.1 hands and tipping the scales at 630 kilos, equine giant Rab casts an imposing figure.

For Albury trainer Brett Cavanough however, tapping into the gelding's raw ability has tested his mettle.

Rab lines up in the Alburyracing.com.au Benchmark 70 Hcp (1175m) with Richard Bensley in the saddle on his home track on Monday.

In a career limited to six starts, the son of Fastnet Rock has strung together three wins and a third.

The race represents a class rise for Rab against well performed and experienced older sprinters like Donilly Lad and Gandalf The White but Cavanough believes his galloper is still capable of winning.

"If he gets to the 200 metres and is travelling, he's capable of winning. He's got gears," Cavanough said on Sundau.

"I'm hoping he will eventually measure up to the Brisbane winter carnival."

Not long after being broken in, Rab was diagnosed as a roarer and underwent a wind operation.

Cavanaugh, a smart horseman, has managed the problem but enabling Rab to fully unleash his ability has been a delicate balancing act for the former Australian champion shearer.

"He's a big athletic type and the ability's there," Cavanough said.

"It's just with horses like him you've got to keep reinventing them.

"You can't screw them right down in work.

"His work's been good. He can run along.

"He won a couple of races this preparation beating inferior horses only because he was just too good for them.

"He's green and still learning. The day Greg Ryan won on him (Cowra, August 10), he dropped the bit at the 800 metres, Greg gave him a shake up and he picked them up quickly.

"After hitting the front, Greg eased up on him, Rab stopped to almost a walk quickly, took him (Ryan) by surprise.

"I would forget about his last start in Sydney. He was driven mad early, he's come home, freshened up and can go around tomorrow."

Rab finished 10th to Rule The World over 1300m on the Kensington track at Randwick on August 18.

Early markets have Rab second favourite at $3.20 behind Donilly Lad ($2.80).