Hard work and a change of training environment brought about a reversal of fortune for the Ciaron Maher-trained Sir Davy.
Now the Maher stable is looking to parlay that into a Stakes win when the gelding heads to the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on Saturday.
Sir Davy is facing a jump in grade on Saturday after his recent win in a benchmark 84 grade at Moonee Valley last month.
Prior to that, Sir Davy was beaten 10 lengths behind stablemate Jennilala at Flemington when returning from a break.
Jack Turnbull, Maher’s assistant trainer who operates the Cranbourne stable, said Sir Davy was switched from the Ballarat stable after that first-up run for a change of environment.
“It was good to see him get back to a bit of form at The Valley,” Turnbull said.
“First-up he pulled-up very big in condition, so we moved him to Cranbourne and gave him a strong jump-out which he won quite convincingly.
“We also did quite a bit of schooling with him down the lane and a bit of sandhill work as well.
“I know he got beaten 10 lengths, but if you saw the jump-out and the time in between, he had raced well at The Valley before, so it was a race to suit.
“On our internal figures at The Valley, he didn’t run that high of a figure, but it was the right figure in that race.
“Now we’re hoping he can take the next step.”
Sir Davy showed loads of ability as a younger horse and around the corresponding time two years ago strung together four wins on end, eventually running second to Group 1 winner in the Winter Championship Final at Flemington.
He then lost his way last winter, failing to place in four runs before being turned out for another spell, and then finding winning for again at The Valley.
Turnbull said Playoffs, who won last year’s Darwin Cup, may join Sir Davy at Bendigo.
The gelding has had two runs back from a spell, finishing out of the money on each occasion.
“Playoffs is entered, and may run, but he’s getting ready for another trip to Darwin,” Turnbull said.