Regular visits to the racetrack have been the making of Scottish Rogue who will attempt a third-straight win when he runs at Flemington.
After victories at Pakenham and Sandown, Scottish Rogue runs in Saturday’s Eugene Gorman Handicap (1100m).
Michael Shepherdson, who runs trainer Tony McEvoy’s Melbourne stable, said Saturday’s race was an afterthought because Scottish Rogue had done so well following his Sandown win on May 26.
He said a heat of the Taj Rossi Series over 1400m at Flemington on June 23 was on the stable’s radar for the two-year-old.
“It was going to be a month between runs and he had done so well since his win at Sandown that we thought we’d give him a try,” Shepherdson said.
“He’s had a look down the straight before and he’s in top shape.”
Shepherdson said he had seen improvement from Scottish Rogue, not just on race day but in his demeanour around the stable.
But importantly for Shepherdson is the two-year-old is a more relaxed racehorse.
“Tony’s always liked him but it’s this preparation with the regular racing, that’s brought him on,” Shepherdson said.
“He was a bit of a nervy type early on in the preparation.
“He used to sweat up quite badly in the mounting yard and behind the gates but he’s mellowed a bit and is accepting of what we’re asking him to do.
“He’s racing well and his last win at Sandown, from start to finish, he was pretty solid.
“He’s super fit and he might relish going down the straight again so while he’s up and about and racing well it will be a nice hit-out for him anyway.”
Shepherdson is expecting the bigger Flemington circuit will suit Silvera in the L V Lachal Handicap (1800m).
Silvera has had two runs from a spell finishing fifth first-up at Cranbourne before a second at Cranbourne on May 25.
“He’ll be happy to get back to Flemington on the big track,” Shepherdson said.
“And the 1800 metres seems to suit him.
“He’s drawn pretty nice to get a good run. He also drops a lot in weight and should be near peak fitness.”
