Bruce Hill believes Caliente is adaptable enough to capitalise on a dream barrier in the Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben on Saturday.
Caliente drew gate 13 in the Mode Plate at Eagle Farm on December 8 which meant jockey Paul Hammersley had to ease her to near last before she unleashed a powerful burst in the final 400 metres to win impressively.
Hill believes Caliente can take up a more prominent position after drawing barrier one in the Vo Rogue.
“Barriers make a big difference in any race and hopefully it will make things a bit easier for her on Saturday,” Hill said.
“She should be able to race a bit closer and she definitely doesn’t have to get as far back as she did at Eagle Farm.
“There was a stack of speed on in that race and Paul didn’t have any other option but to go back on her to try and slot in.”
Hill has noticed a marked improvement in Caliente’s coat and fitness levels since her Eagle Farm win but is mindful of the task confronting the filly in taking on Sizzling.
“He’s got the score on the board and it doesn’t matter what they throw at him, he comes up trumps all the time,” he said.
“But I haven’t seen one yet that wasn’t beatable.”
Stablemate Lady Colours will race in a nasal strip as Hill searches for ways to coax the filly back to winning form.
“Her trackwork has been been really good in the past week so maybe I’ve got it right,” he said.
Caliente is rated the clear pick of the fillies in the Vo Rogue at $11. Lady Colours, however, is friendless at $81.
Avaladyluck is likely to be scratched from the Vo Rogue to be reserved for a three-year-old race at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
“Rather than take on the likes of Sizzling second up over 1350 metres, it might be a better option to stay at the 1200 metres and give her a look at the Coast before the Magic Millions Guineas,” trainer Stuart Kendrick said.
