For different reasons jockeys have their favourite horses.

Often it's because of a big race win and sometimes because of a special bond between horse and rider.

Such is the case with experienced Canberra jockey Kevin Sweeney and the Keith Dryden-trained Daryl.

The pair combine in the XXXX Gold Snake Gully Cup (1400m) at Gundagai on Friday.

Sweeney has been aboard the five-year-old son of Delzao in 12 of his 16 starts during which time Daryl has recorded six wins and four placings.

"Yeah, he's pretty well my favourite horse," Sweeney said.

"I've been riding him since he was a two-year-old when he first came into the stable.

"I've hardly been off his back.

"He's got a unique personality. He can nearly talk he's that smart.

"After work when I take the saddle off and drop the reins he follows me back to the stable.

"He's like a pet dog but he doesn't race like one.

"He's had his hiccups along the way but he's got ability and handles all sorts of tracks and he's drawn nice for him (barrier eight).

"I think Keith has got him going better than ever. I'm confident he'll go well."

Daryl got his name from Dryden's stable hands but Sweeney calls him Dazzling Daryl Dryden, which comes from a joke between jockey and trainer.

Sweeney and Dryden are both former winners of the Snake Gully Cup, Sweeney with Supreme Butterfly (2000) and Dryden with Green Waters (1996 and 1999).

Daryl suffered a setback last campaign when he bled following a disappointing effort behind Sir Berus at Canterbury on May 22 and was spelled.

He resumed with a fourth to Subarc over 1200m at Canberra on October 11 before winning a 1200m open handicap at the same track on October 25.

"I'm happy with him," Dryden said.

"Even though he is on the limit (54kg) I think he's terribly weighted, but in saying that the horse is going good.

"He's a chance in an open race."