Out-of-form stakes winning sprinter Huxssen is on his last chance with trainer Peter Morgan.
Morgan is demanding a competitive effort from the six-year-old in Saturday’s Dorevitch Pathology handicap (1200m) at Flemington after the gelding’s two disappointing runs for him this campaign.
“This will be his test,” Morgan said.
“If he doesn’t go any good tomorrow he will be out of my stable.”
Huxssen, $10 with TAB Sportsbet, has always promised much but niggling injuries for much of his career has held him back.
In his first eight starts he won four times and contested the Australian Guineas, but he has only won one of his past 14 races, including his only feature success, the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington in February last year.
Rodney Douglas trained the son of Hussonet for most of his career before Jim Conlan took over for an unplaced run in last year’s Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
Morgan, who has noted expertise in patching up injured horses, has had Huxssen for just two runs – a four-length sixth to Facile Tigre in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) and a down the track performance 11 days later in the Listed Heffernan Stakes (1300m).
“I couldn’t find a reason why he went the way he did last time,” Morgan said.
“He just didn’t back up.”
He said Huxssen’s niggling wear and tear issues were under control and he had continued to train on well.
“I can’t fault him,” Morgan said. “He is jumping out of his skin.”
Morgan said his biggest fear was that Huxssen’s problems may now be all in his head.
Flemington, however, hasn’t been his favourite track.
He hasn’t even managed a place there in six starts although Morgan believes that had he come down the outside of the track two starts ago he would figured in the money.
“He’s drawn the right barrier (12 of 13) this time so we will see what he can do,” Morgan said.
“At his best he would win on Saturday. It is all up to him now.”
James Winks will be looking to improve his record on Huxssen who he has ridden four times, including to his Hareeba win.
He also finished fourth on him in Adelaide’s Group One Goodwood in May last year and sixth two starts ago at Flemington.
Morgan said if Winks can get Huxssen back in form it opens up the big summer sprints as options for the horse including another tilt at the Christmas Stakes.
The Group Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 2 was another option, he said.
AAP TURF
