Matt Cumani is going back to basics with Khoekhoe who is returning from a spell and a gelding operation at Flemington.
Khoekhoe runs in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) on Saturday, his first start since interstate forays into Sydney and Brisbane.
Cumani has removed the tongue-tie and earmuffs from Khoekhoe’s gear and wants to see the now four-year-old settle in his race and finish off.
That was the way Khoekhoe raced as a two-year-old, when winning The Showdown, and again as a spring three-year-old when successful in the Super Impose Stakes.
After one Melbourne run in autumn, Khoekhoe was sent to Sydney where his racing pattern was turned upside down in the Rosehill Guineas where he raced on the speed.
“In a couple of races, especially in Sydney, he was a little bit keen in his races, fought with the jockey and got his tongue over the bit,” Cumani said.
“We wanted to find an opportunity where he can learn how to race again, so we want a race that is run at a decent tempo and a 1400-metre kick-off should do that.”
Cumani has not set a program out for Khoekhoe for the autumn and wants to assess him after Saturday’s outing.
But he hopes to get the gelding up to 2000m again during the campaign.
Cumani also has One More Try heading to Flemington run for the TAB Long May We Play Plate (2500m).
“She’s a lovely mare, in great condition and looks fantastic,” Cumani said.
“We were hoping to hit this distance before a lot of the good ones do and we’re hoping that she can keep improving, and maybe ridden a little more positively she can show us it’s her distance.”
Not entered for the major spring races, Cumani said he was likely to space the mares’ races and possibly aim towards the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
