Trainer Barry Baldwin admits Havatryst faces a big task from his outside draw at Doomben on Saturday.
Havatryst, who has drawn 17 in the Woolworths Handicap (1200m), won his first two starts this campaign in restricted class before failing in the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben and Listed Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast.
The four-year-old could manage only ninth to Adebisi in the George Moore and beat only two home when 13th to Spirit Of Boom in the Goldmarket.
Baldwin dismissed both runs and was confident Havatryst could return to his best prior to the barrier draw on Wednesday.
“He’s had genuine excuses for his last two runs,” Baldwin said.
“He was very disappointing in the George Moore but we found later he had a splint problem.
“After his Goldmarket failure I had him scoped and we discovered he had a throat infection.”
Baldwin is confident Havatryst can make it to the Brisbane winter carnival although the major sprints won’t be on his agenda.
“There’s been a few people doubting him but I think he can get to the winter, I really do,” Baldwin said.
“I’m not looking at the big races but the Eye Liner and Glasshouse Sprint look ideal races.”
Baldwin also hopes to shape winter carnival plans for stablemate Belle D’Amour in the Racing Retro Handicap (1110m).
The three-year-old filly got back to near last in her comeback when eighth to Schiffer in the Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) at the Gold Coast last month.
“It was her first run in open company and it wasn’t too bad,” Baldwin said.
Belle D’amour showed her potential under difficult circumstances during last year’s winter carnival by winning the Listed Lancaster Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in June.
At her previous start, Belle D’Amour produced an eye-catching performance to finish sixth to the Peter Snowden-trained Free Wheeling in the Group Two Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben.
“She had a wind problem last year and she had an operation to correct it straight after the carnival,” Baldwin said .
“She didn’t have much luck in the Champagne Classic and it was a great run when she had to come from last on the home turn.”
Baldwin expects a strong performance from the daughter of Jet Spur even though she has never raced on a track worse than dead.
“She’s by Jet Spur and she gives me the impression she’ll handle the wet,” he said.
“For the time being we’re looking at QTIS races with her but if she measures up she’ll probably be aimed for some of the better fillies races during the winter.”
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