Sutherland has started the new season as well as he finished the last and is fifth on the national trainer’s premiership, where only James Cummings, Darren Weir, Chris Waller and David Hayes sit ahead of him.

Sutherland has trained five winners already this season but he maintains he is not quite in career best form.

“Not really, we’re going good but we’ve been set for it for a long time. It’s certainly no surprise,” Sutherland said.

“The four or five horses that are going good I’ve got an opinion of, they handle the wet conditions and they are rock hard fit.

“I’m pretty happy with where we’re at, I’m training pretty well with all types of horses. I’ve made a few adjustments to my training over the last few months and it’s working pretty good.”

Fresh from a third Southern District training premiership win, Sutherland explained he has changed his approach in recent times.

“I think I’ve finally worked this training business out,” he said.

“I’m prepared to try a lot of different things that I wouldn’t have a few years ago. I train them all differently where once upon a time I wanted to train them all very similarly.”

Sutherland hopes to carry that form into Saturday’s Narrandera Cup meeting, where Benno’s Boy will carry the top weight of 58 kilograms in the $12,000 feature race.

The race has attracted just five horses and Sutherland believes the 1400 metre Cup is the perfect race for the in-form Benno’s Boy.

“It’s a super race for him. With 58 kilos, he drops a massive amount of weight,” he said.

“I’d say Narrandera is his favourite track. 1400 is about his pet distance and the drop to 58 kilos he’ll appreciate.

“It’s almost our hometown Cup, with (Trevor’s wife) Steph coming from Narrandera and all her family. We were always going to have one in it.

“I think the small field will only help him as well.”

Bryan Murphy will take the ride on Benno’s Boy, who has been incredibly consistent of late. He has finished in the top two at six of his past seven races.

Benno’s Boy had 38 starts last season and finished in the first four in 22 of those starts. Sutherland said the six-year-old has developed a cult following.

“He’ll go forward, put himself in the fight, and he’ll be up for the fight. There’s not many that will come out better in a match race with him,” he said.

“He’s become really popular, people love him and he’s got a bit of a cult following now.”