A change in training routine and some new gear have transformed By The Way, an injury-prone galloper chasing a maiden black type win at Flemington on Saturday.
By The Way will line up in perfect health in the Chester Manifold Stakes with Ballarat trainer Mark Lewis saying the galloper hasn’t looked back this campaign.
After the gelding finished 10th to Glaneuse in the Winter Championship Final at Flemington in July, Lewis kept him in light work on a water walker which made it easier to get him up for his current preparation.
“I did things a bit differently with him after the Winter Championship and it’s worked out well,” Lewis said.
“He’s had a lot of setbacks during his career but this is the soundest he has been for a long time.”
Lewis said By The Way was now thriving after two knee operations, joint and feet problems and a torn muscle in the shoulder.
The trainer also took the nose roll off By The Way who is currently racing with blinkers, a Norton bit and a tongue tie.
This contributed to his second-up victory when he stormed home over 1420m at Flemington on December 17 followed by a short-neck second to Let’s Be Happy in the George Watson Handicap over the same course and distance on January 2.
By The Way faces a re-match with the state’s most improved racehorse, Let’s Be Happy, in the Listed 1400m feature which attracted 15 entries on Monday including Danzylum, Shadowfax and unbeaten three-year-old Pied A Terre.
Let’s Be Happy, prepared at Horsham by Mick Clark, has won seven races in Victoria this season including five in town.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained Danzylum is going for his third consecutive Chester Manifold victory and heads into the race second-up after running eighth to Catapulted in the Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 2.
Leading trainer Peter Moody nominated Mr Make Believe, Shout Out Loud and There’s Only One who is chasing her sixth straight metropolitan win.
The Testa Rossa four-year-old mare resumed with a win in a mares race at Caulfield on December 26.
AAP TURF
