When former Irish galloper Earlswood landed in Australia, expectations were that he could prove a contender in weight-for-age races in this country.
Earlswood’s Australian debut was a win in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield in February 2022 and it showed the galloper was ready for the task of racing in Australia under the care of Maddie Raymond at Warrnambool.
But in Earlswood’s next 17 starts, he has scored just the one victory in the Gold Nugget at Ballarat in September last year at his second outing for his latest trainer Gavin Bedggood.
Earlswood will be chasing his third Australian win on Saturday when he lines up in the MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The gelding has had two runs for his current campaign, a first-up fourth over 1400m at Sandown before following that up with a second to Saban over 1800m at Sandown on June 14.
Bedggood claims there is not a healthier horse in his Cranbourne stable but added everything needs to go Earlswood’s way for him to find success on Saturday.
“He’s flying and he would be the healthiest horse in my stable,” Bedggood told RSN.
“He’s got a coat on him like it’s the middle of summer.
“People will say he got held up and things like that last start, but you almost have to ride the horse like that, as when he gets clean air too far out, he presents to win the race and is just plain late.
“I think he is better when he gets that run on the back of the speed and gets out late and darts through the line.”
John Allen, who is one of two jockeys to have been successful aboard Earlswood in his victories in Australia, will be reunited with the gelding on Saturday.
Earlswood is the $5 second favourite in current betting behind Sayedaty Sadaty who is rated a $3.90 chance.
