Jockey Matthew Cahill has known trainer Garry McCarney since he was a lad growing up in Wellington.

At Orange on Friday, the talented hoop and Wellington trainer combine with Fox Solid, seeking back-to-back Cups wins in the $55,000 Orange Gold Cup (1600m).

Fox Solid, a six-year-old gelding by American stallion Foxhound, is coming off a last-start win in the Wellington Cup (1700m) on March 24.

The in-form gelding scored over 1600m at Orange in a Benchmark 75 event at his previous start on March 11 so McCarney has Fox Solid in peak form.

"I've known Garry since I was a boy growing up in Wellington," Cahill said.

"We go back a long way. My dad Ossie trained there (at Wellington).

"Garry has got Fox Solid going good since he had a stint with Leanne Aspros.

"His win in the Wellington Cup was good. The Orange Cup is usually a bit harder than Wellington but Fox Solid has got to be a great chance."

Greg Ryan was aboard Fox Solid at Orange before Cahill was legged aboard at Wellington. Ryan has elected to ride Ideal Position in the Orange Cup.

Cahill, an Orange Cup-winning rider, said with a horse like Fox Solid, who tends to drop out early in his races, luck would be an important factor.

Fox Solid, a winner of six from 29 starts with nine placings, got back to last at Wellington but despite being held up at the top of the straight, Cahill managed to get him out in time and the gelding responded, finishing resolutely to beat Le Beau Cheval, Orange Cup rival Okane and south-coast cups winner Quichang.