Greg Eurell is hoping a drop in weight and a better barrier draw will see Taut You Could show his credentials in a second-up run at Caulfield.
A debut winner at Cranbourne last November, Taut You Could runs in the MRC Membership Renewal Handicap (1200m) on Saturday following a pleasing first-up fifth behind Thron Bone over 1100m at Caulfield on June 25.
Thron Bone is an opponent again on Saturday and following that victory went on to score again at Flemington the following week.
Eurell said there was excuses for Taut You Could when resuming at Caulfield where he was trapped wide from an awkward draw, but he was happy with the performance.
“He was a bit fresh and doing a bit of extra work out there on his accord, but I think with that run under his belt, it’s helped him along a bit,” Eurell said.
“His work was really good on Tuesday morning, quite sharp, and I’m pretty happy with the barrier he’s drawn on Saturday to give him a better opportunity, so I’m looking forward to the race.
“It’s a nice enough field that he is up against, but I think the horse has got good ability and he’s ready to take the step second-up.”
Eurell said nothing should be read into the fact that it is four weeks since Taut You Could last raced.
He said Saturday’s race was the only suitable one on the calendar.
“It’s a bit tricky with the two-year-olds sometimes, especially when you want to be running in town,” Eurell said.
“We see him as a 1200-metre horse, and that’s all that was available, but I don’t think it will hurt him.
“He was able to have a soft week after his first-up run. We were able to let him recover and then build him back up again.
“He’s a pretty fit horse and we’re just hoping it works for him on Saturday.”
