Adelaide galloper Petman has twice been placed at Listed level in Melbourne, convincing trainer John Hyam he is up to winning a stakes race.
The four-year-old gets the chance to prove his trainer right in Saturday’s Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington.
Petman was a disappointing last-start seventh as favourite in a 1250m event on the Morphettville Parks track four weeks ago.
Hyam says that run should be forgiven, however, as he was disappointed with the ride that day.
Petman, who arrived in Melbourne on Friday morning, heads to Flemington for the second time having finished fifth to Unpretentious in a Listed race over the same 1200m course on Melbourne Cup day last year.
Hyam believes Saturday’s $120,000 event is “the right race” for Petman who has won six of his 16 starts but is yet to win at stakes level.
“The horse is good enough to win a race like that,” Hyam said.
“He’s come back bigger and stronger this time, and I think the next 12 to 18 months will be his best.”
The son of Lonhro’s three other Melbourne appearances have been at Caulfield with his best results a second to Free Wheeling in Listed grade last October and a third in the Zeditave Stakes early last year.
The trainer believes the experience of racing down the straight on Melbourne Cup day will help Petman the second time around.
Petman is on the fourth line of betting at $10 with That’s The One favourite at $4.50 ahead of Sydney visitor Title at $5.50.
That’s The One will be ridden by premiership leader Glen Boss who is keen to get back on the favourite after his second in slow going in The Wangoom at Warrnambool last start.
“I like him, down the straight especially,” Boss said.
“I think he’ll go well. He probably just wants an OK track.”
Flemington remained in the dead range on Friday.
