Brad Widdup is hoping for a change of fortune at the barrier draw to help Phearson bounce back to his best when he winds up his preparation in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle.
Far from disgraced against one of the best sprinters in the country when eighth to Bella Nipotina in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) last start, Phearson has had to contend with wide gates in three of his five runs this campaign, including his most recent.
Widdup felt there was plenty of merit in his performance behind Bella Nipotina when he ended up in an uncustomary position back in the field.
“I was very impressed with him the other day against those horses,” Widdup said.
“He wasn’t beaten far, only five or six lengths.
“He’s had a luckless preparation but he’s up in that grade now where he has climbed the ladder and he’s there.”
Phearson’s best effort in five runs was a first-up third to Joliestar in the Show County Quality (1200m), while he was also competitive during a hit-and-run raid to Melbourne where he finished fifth to Mighty Ulysses in the Moonga Stakes (1400m).
Widdup said The Hunter (1300m) was likely to be the dual Group 3 winner’s final run of the campaign as the gelding put all his energy into his races.
“He doesn’t do himself any favours, but he has been a great horse for the stable,” Widdup said.
Phearson is likely to be Widdup’s only runner at the stand-alone Saturday meeting with his smart sprinter Jedibeel being reserved for Sydney’s summer sprints.
“I’ll probably keep Jedibeel until the end of the month. he will run in the Starlight (Stakes) then he’ll go to the Razor Sharp (Handicap),” he said.
“He was very fat the other day and he will come on.”
The winner of the July Sprint (1100m) during the winter, Jedibeel resumed with an encouraging second to Dragonstone at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.