It is often said an interstate campaign can be the making of a horse and that just might be the case for Thankgodyou’rehere.
The lightly-raced six-year-old will return in the Listed Show County Quality (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday after winding up a three-start preparation in Brisbane with a fifth to Sincero in the Stradbroke Handicap.
Co-trainer Wayne Webster looked after Thankgodyou’rehere through his Queensland stint and says it was a good experience for horse and trainer.
“I learned a lot about the horse and he probably needed to have the trip away for us to learn what we did,” Webster, who trains in partnership with his father Pat, said.
“Having spent time with him there I came home with a different view of where the horse was at.
“The main thing I learned is he’s the sort of horse who can win any sprint race in Australia first-up but then I don’t think he takes too many kilometres to get to 1400 metres or a mile (1600m).”
The Websters have given Thankgodyou’rehere plenty of time to mature and he has rewarded their patience with seven wins and five placings from his 15 starts.
The bar was raised last preparation and he stepped up to the plate with placings in the Group One The Galaxy at Randwick and the Group Three BRC Sprint at Doomben.
He has an outstanding fresh record and, more importantly, Webster says Thankgodyou’rehere is in great order with some residual fitness to boot.
“No-one will be disappointed with the way he parades,” Webster said.
“He’s a happy horse.”
Spring plans for Thankgodyou’rehere hinge on Saturday’s performance with Webster keen to see how his charge returns before setting anything in stone.
The gelding drew the outside barrier in the field of 10 and was a $4.80 chance with TAB Sportsbet on Thursday behind favourite Neeson ($2.50) and Winter King ($4.40).
“Hopefully he can make it eight from 16,” Webster said.
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