An inglorious performance by Engine Room at Gosford’s stand-alone meeting left trainer Bryce Heys scratching his head but all the signs point to the horse being on his best behaviour at Randwick.
The three-year-old was sent out the wagering sites favourite for a 1600m race on May 10 following impressive back-to-back wins in midweek grade.
But after initially settling midfield, he began to hang out near the 1200m and gave jockey Alysha Collett a torrid ride from that point, including in the home straight when he was unable to be tested to the line and finished last.
“He obviously had to go back to the trials and he went straight back there three days later on a tight-turning track and was tractable enough, so no problems there,” Heys said.
“There was nothing wrong with the horse post-Gosford, hence why I went to the trials straight away, just to get him back on track and reset.
“He looks great and we’re happy to go again.”
Engine Room will line up in Saturday’s Midway Handicap (1500m) having been given a month between runs and Heys says the horse has responded well to the freshen-up.
Zac Lloyd partners him from barrier four and Heys is expecting the three-year-old to put his best foot forward.
“For whatever reason, he has appreciated the time given to him and he presents really well for Saturday,” he said.
“He has definitely got some progression about him. There’s no doubting he has still got a bit to learn but he’s a nice horse and given what we’ve been through, we just want to get him back on track.”
Heys will also be represented by King Ratel in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m) when the eight-year-old returns to the races for the first time in more than two years.
The gelding suffered a minor leg injury in 2023 and Heys said they opted to give him an extended break and a slow build up in order to do “the best thing by him, rather than rush him back into work”.
He has only raced 18 times and while he will be lacking in match practice, Heys believes King Ratel can eventually reward the patience of his connections.
“He is naturally a very athletic horse and a horse we have never seen the best of,” Heys said.
“There is no doubt he will need the run but he has run well fresh before and he is going well.
“He definitely still has something to offer.”
