With five unplaced runs in as many starts, Grebeni’s form this campaign is anything but flattering on paper.
However, co-trainer Sterling Alexiou is adamant the gelding is going much better than those numbers suggest and has warned punters to underestimate him at their peril in Saturday’s Racing And Sports Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
“He’s terrific at home,” Alexiou said.
“His form probably doesn’t suggest how good he is going at the moment. I think he’s going as well as ever.”
Three starts ago, Grebeni went back from a wide draw in the Big Dance Wild Card and never got into the race.
Next time out, he finished sixth in the Little Dance, beaten two lengths, then again got out of his ground from a wide gate when finishing three lengths from Grid Girl over 1400m at Rosehill.
Back to the circuit where he has won two of six starts, Alexiou is predicting sharp improvement.
“He hasn’t been afforded too many good gates, and he’s been getting back in slow-run affairs,” Alexiou said.
“The other day he was back to 1400, and they were a bit slick around Rosehill for him.
“The smaller field should suit him, and he’s got a good record here at Randwick over the mile so hopefully we can see him back to his normal form.”
With Rotagilla and Amor Victorious early scratchings, Grebeni will face just six rivals, among them stablemate Just Party who backs up from a close fourth to Know Thyself last weekend.
