Trainer Matthew Dale will be shooting for his third-successive $100,000 Wagga Wagga Town Plate on Thursday when he saddles up Meticulously.

Dale, a talented horseman from Canberra, won the 2013 and 2014 versions with Unanimously ridden by Glyn Schofield and Blake Shinn respectively.

Dale is the first to admit Meticulously does not have the same ability as his dual winner but goes into the race on the first day of the two-day Wagga Wagga Gold Cup carnival as a definite chance.

"He'll have to be right at the top of his game to win but he's fit and healthy and has a liking for the Wagga circuit," Dale said.

Meticulously goes into the feature sprint first-up from a 128-day spell.

He scored first-up last preparation over 1200m at Canberra in October carrying 59kg.

"Thursday represents a step up in class but he gets in with a nice weight (54kg) and has drawn a decent barrier (eight)," Dale said.