Trainer Barry Baldwin is hopeful Havatryst can bounce back from a lacklustre winter carnival campaign in his comeback at Eagle Farm.
Havatryst, a Chris Munce mount in Saturday’s DPMA Handicap (1200m), is having his first start since finishing sixth to Torio’s Quest in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.
The son of Foreplay earned rave views after winning his first three starts as a three-year-old, including a 1200-metre success at Randwick on Boxing Day last year.
However, Havatryst failed to live up to his early promise, going winless in a five-start winter campaign.
Havatryst has been in work for more than three months preparing for his return and Baldwin expects a strong showing despite the four-year-old not having a barrier trial.
“He should race very well but I’ve got a lot of respect for Audacious Spirit,” Baldwin said.
“He’s (Havatryst) coming along nicely and has done well since he came back into work.
“I haven’t trialled him but he’s had a jumpout and has been in work for over three months so there was no great need to trial him.”
The Gillian Heinrich-trained Audacious Spirit made a triumphant comeback this campaign, winning easily in a Class 5 at Caloundra on October 9.
It was only Audacious Spirit’s second career win but the son of Bel Esprit has a Group Two placing to his credit when runner-up to Master Harry in the Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick in February.
Baldwin felt Havatryst may have been playing with his tongue early on in his winter campaign which contributed to his below-par performances.
Havatryst’s best run was in the Listed Daybreak Lover Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm when runner-up to Steps In Time.
“With any luck he should have won that day,” Baldwin said.
“His bad barrier beat him and then I backed him up in the Queensland Guineas when he finished sixth.
“His Guineas’ run was a bit disappointing but it wasn’t the worst run in the world.”
Baldwin has no major plans in mind with Havatryst who is likely to target the summer sprint series which begins with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben in December.
“He’s not a Magic Millions horse and the summer series looks a good option for him here,” Baldwin said.
AAP TURF
