Trainer Robbie Laing is never afraid to send horses around on a quick back-up.
Last week Laing prepared Audino and Scelto to run one-two in a Benchmark race over 1500m at Sandown and on Saturday the pair is heading back to the races, this time at Flemington.
Audino tackles The Dorevitch Pathology Handicap (1600m) while Scelto will contest The Western Health Foundation Handicap (1700m).
Audino, aiming for a third straight victory, is a challenging horse to train but Laing says the six-year-old has pulled up in excellent shape following his victory last week.
“Mick Kent Junior rides him in his work and said he had pulled up super after last week, better than he did after his Cranbourne win,” Laing said.
“He has a beautiful glow to him, he’s the same weight as he was last Friday so he can win again.”
Laing says Audino spends a lot of time in the paddock with a pony for company as he is a “mad runner” but the trainer has the horse in the right frame of mind, reflected by his good form.
Scelto’s career has been plagued by injury problems and he has spent two significant stints on the sidelines in as many years.
He has had two runs back following his latest injury and Laing says the step up to 1700m on Saturday is ideal.
The Cranbourne trainer has given Scelto a quiet week and he is confident the long build-up to his return, which included a combination of slow work and swimming, has given the horse a strong foundation.
“Just the fact that he ran over 1500 metres last Saturday and it’s only 200 metres further, I don’t have to bust his gut to get him any fitter,” Laing said.
“Drawing barrier 11 at Flemington is not bad either.
“He’ll begin well and if there’s no speed he’ll take up the running but if there’s anything inside him that wants to press on he can park second or third and be hard to beat.”
Laing also saddles up Subiaso in The Lanec Services Handicap (1400m) and Chabelle in The Sunshine Kids Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.
