Trainer Alison Smith readily admits she isn’t sure what to expect from lightly-raced Double Header when the four-year-old resumes at Bathurst on Monday.
Smith describes the gelding as a Jekyll and Hyde character.
“He’s had the right preparation going into the race,” Smith said.
“If he puts his best foot forward and runs up to what he’s shown me he can win.
“The problem’s been one day he works really good, the next day, well, a different horse.
“He’s got me scratching my head whether his mind is switched on.”
Double Header resumes from a 221-day break in the Davcon Constructions Benchmark 55 Handicap (1100m) with Lane Moloney in the saddle.
The gelding has shown ability winning twice in eight starts including a victory over the track and distance in a Class 1 event last September, notably when first-up after 211 days following a dual knee operation.
“He’s been back in work for some time,” Smith said.
“We decided to give him a nice long break to completely get over the knee operation.
“He was virtually put straight back in work last time and I think the second-up run at Coonamble flattened him.
“I’ve had the luxury this time of taking my time with him. He’s fit enough to run well, it’s just which Double Header shows up Monday.”
Early in his career Double Header, out of multiple group-winning mare Judyann, had a reputation as a barrier rogue.
However, Smith has encountered no problems in that area.
“I gave him a jump-out recently, he went in and out like a lamb,” Smith said.
Eventually I think he’ll be better with blinkers but I don’t want to put the gear on yet and take the chance of firing him up.”
Double Header has worked with Brian Buckley’s promising galloper Stagger on several occasions.
“He (Stagger) has the wood on him but one time he beat him out and got run down, and in another gallop, he took good ground off him during the run home.
“That’s the thing with him. Sometimes he shows good barrier speed, other times he doesn’t.
“He’s a hard horse to get a line on.”
“I’m happy enough with him. Hopefully he runs up to what he’s capable of.”
AAP TURF