Promising sprinter Second Effort will be looking to wind up a brief summer campaign with victory in the Listed Doveton Stakes at Caulfield.
Trainer Clinton McDonald said it was likely that the lightly-raced five-year-old, whose six wins have all been on slow and heavy tracks, would be spelled after Saturday’s 1200-metre assignment to target the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool in May.
McDonald said the good track was the biggest concern facing Second Effort in the Doveton and it has seen him ease with TAB Sportsbet from $4.80 to $5.50.
Favourite Stirling Grove ($3.20) and First Command ($4), who is resuming and racing in blinkers for the first time, are ahead of him in the market.
Second Effort struck a dead track when first-up in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day and McDonald was happy with his 2-1/2-length fifth to Zedi Knight.
“He went okay first-up and he’s improved from that run,” McDonald said.
“The bottom line is that he has got to prove himself on a good track and he gets his chance tomorrow.
“He has always shown promise and I’m happy with him going into the race.”
Second Effort has raced four times on good tracks for two minor placings.
Last winter he went on a winning run on wet tracks racking up successive victories at Warrnambool, Sandown (twice) and Moonee Valley.
For the last two years he has won at the Warrnambool May Carnival but this year will be his first start in the Wangoom.
“He likes it down there so after Saturday he will probably go to the paddock and come back for that (the Wangoom),” McDonald said.
Stirling Grove missed the Standish Handicap because of a mild colic attack and has his first run since November 5 in the Doveton while First Command had three runs in the spring with his last effort a fading seventh in the Group Two Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Stirling Grove has a win and a third from his two Caulfield starts while First Command has an imposing five wins and a second from eight starts at the track and has won three of his six first-up runs.
Trainer Mark Kavanagh has set Cat’s Pyjamas ($6.50) her biggest test to date on her favourite track where she has raced five times for four wins.
“It is a rise in grade for her but she’s a great mare,” jockey Stephen Baster said.
“She’s tough, she’s honest and she races on the speed and has to be hard to beat on Saturday.”
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