Canberra trainer Matthew Dale has changed a few things around in the hope stakeswinner Lebrechaun can return to form at Rosehill on Saturday.
Last year’s Listed National Sprint winner at Canberra, Lebrechaun disappointed in two Sydney starts earlier this campaign and has been freshened since his 14th in the Group Two Villiers (1600m) on December 17.
He contests Saturday’s Blackwoods New Catalogue 2012 Handicap (1400m).
“We’re just trying a couple of different pieces of gear. He’ll have blinkers on for the first time, a tongue control bit for the first time and the tongue tie off,” Dale said.
“He’s had a trial since the Villiers and trialled relatively sharply, it’s just a bit of trial and error on Saturday.
“There’ll be more pace on coming back in distance and we’re just looking for an improved performance.”
One thing in Lebrechaun’s favour is a record of three wins and a placing from four starts at 1400m, including the National Sprint win on his home track last March.
“We’re just looking for him to bounce back to a bit of form and we’ll be guided by what he does on Saturday,” Dale said.
Dale was a winner in Sydney last weekend when Unanimously took out the Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m) under lights at the Friday night meeting.
The trainer also has two runners in Saturday’s feature event, the $250,000 Inglis Classic (1200m).
Both Vavavic and Single In Paris are at $51 with TAB Sportsbet and have drawn wide barriers in 13 and 14 respectively, but Dale said they were fit and well.
“They have both drawn badly and are going to need an element of luck,” Dale said.
“They are two horses we picked to head towards this race, they are fit and well so we’ll roll the dice.”
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