First-season trainer Archie Alexander has a number of quality imports on his books including Only A Pleasure who makes his debut for the stable at Flemington.
A Listed winner in France, Only A Pleasure had two runs for Chris Waller early last year before being turned out for a spell and is set to resume in Saturday’s Comedy King Handicap (1600m).
Only A Pleasure is part-owned by OTI Racing which also races Renew who Alexander prepared to win the Sandown Cup in November.
The trainer has gone back to basics with Only A Pleasure who came to Australia after running last in two Group races including the 2013 Prix Kergolay.
He failed to fire in his first two Melbourne starts but Alexander is looking ahead not back.
“He’s a horse that wasn’t firing so I haven’t worried about the past and I’ve just concentrated on on how is,” Alexander said.
“He’s bright, he’s been working well but he’s quite a heavy horse and will come on for the race.”
Alexander said the 1600 metres on Saturday was way short of Only A Pleasure’s preferred trip.
He said he was expecting the gelding to start showing his best form once he got up to 2400m, but admitted he was not looking too far into the future.
“The 1600 first-up will give him a good blow-out and then hopefully we’ll build on that and as he gets into his prep and we get him up to 2400 is when we’ll see the best of him,” Alexander said.
“We just need to get some form back.
“He’s been showing good ability at home but it’s not like he’s a world beater either.”
