Kelly Schweida is having one of his best seasons but a win by Oink at Doomben would end months of frustration for the popular trainer.
Oink has run eight minor placings and two fourths since he last won in August. 2017.
He will be stepping up to open company in the Cascade Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Oink has a special place for Schweida because he is raced by the family and friends of the late jockey Tim Bell who was his close mate.
The gelding has won four races and finished second nine times but Schweida believes he should have won several of those.
“A lot of the seconds have been by narrow margins, He hasn’t had much luck and we scratched him last Saturday when he drew very wide,” Schweida said.
“He is down in weight but of course it is a harder race.”
Schweida also has veteran Stella Ombra in the Open handicap and he feels the gelding is better suited at 1350m second-up.
“He was run off his feet over 1000 metres first-up and will be fitter from a good barrier on Saturday,” he said.
Stella Ombra has won eight races but hasn’t crossed the line first since August 2017.
A double at Ipswich on Wednesday has Schweida in fourth place on the metropolitan premiership with 23 wins and fifth on the state list with 38.
