Trainer Alicia Willick hopes Silent Movie can get plans for a winter campaign back on track with a strong showing at Doomben.
Willick has heeded advice from jockey Chris Munce who recommended the seven-year-old wear blinkers in Saturday’s Schaefer Store Handicap (1600m).
The Gold Coast trainer has warned punters to expect an improved showing following Silent Movie’s second-up failure at Eagle Farm last month.
Silent Movie ran well below his best when only 10th to Tomboy in a 1500-metre Benchmark 90 race on January 21.
“He had a virus so you’ve got to put a pen through his last run,” Willick said.
“He came back straight after the race and was coughing so the following day I had his blood taken and it found his white cells were very high.
“The vet was very concerned. He went downhill rapidly in the next few days and if he didn’t recover in time we were going to take him to the clinic to put him on a drip.
“Luckily he picked up just as quick as he fell ill.”
The setback forced Silent Movie to miss a week’s work but Willick is confident the son of Royal Academy has made up the lost ground.
“I knew something was drastically wrong with him last start,” she said.
“He’s normally so honest and tries hard all the time.”
Willick sees no reason why Silent Movie can’t figure in the finish but admits a month between runs has her concerned.
“I’ve been very happy with his work this week and the only question I’ve got is the month between runs and going to 1600 metres,” she said.
“He’s been looking for a distance for some time and there’s no use putting him in shorter races.
“If he goes well and races like I know he can I’d like to get him to the Brisbane winter carnival.
“It’s one step at a time but I’d love to get him up to 2000 metres around winter time.”
AAP TURF
