Trainer Archie Alexander hopes a change of tactics and gear change will revive the fortunes of import Haky at Sandown on Saturday.
Alexander has taken over from dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer John Hammond with the quirky chestnut and is uncertain what to expect in the Listed $150,000 Sandown Cup (3200m).
“I’ve only had him for a short time so we’re going into the unknown a little bit,” Alexander said.
“But he’s shown no sign of being tired or sore. He’s eaten up and so he’ll head to Sandown on Saturday.”
With several horses holding nominations for the Cup and the Group 2 Zipping Classic, Alexander hopes Haky might face a smallish field.
Whatever the case, the gelding will be given the chance to redeem his best form by being ridden more quietly.
In three Australian starts, the six-year-old has led with a best result of third behind Prince Of Arran and True Self in the Geelong Cup.
He was a last-start eighth in the Hotham Handicap after racing on the speed.
“He’ll definitely be ridden quieter,” Alexander said.
“Jordan Childs will ride him and, ideally, in the first half of the race, he’ll get some cover.
“In the second half, he’ll start building into it.
“I’m not saying it’s the right way or the only way to ride him but he’s been put in front every time and it hasn’t always worked out.”
Alexander said Haky would have a noseband applied to help the horse settle better.
“If the worst comes to the worst on Saturday, he’ll go for a spell and we’ll bring him back and start over again,” he said.
“At this stage, he’s showing no signs of being tired.”