The Aaron Purcell-trained Guizot will return to a happy hunting ground when he continues his campaign in an 1800 metre handicap at Caulfield.
Guizot’s most recent victory came on May 11 at Caulfield over 1600m with the gelding unplaced at Flemington and runner-up in the Swan Hill Cup since.
Warrnambool-based Purcell has pinpointed Saturday’s Ladbrokes Back Yourself Handicap as the next suitable target for the import who has never finished worse than second in four appearances at Caulfield.
“He’s won twice there and run second a couple of times,” Purcell said.
“The 1800 metres is probably about as far as he wants but he has won over 1700 so it shouldn’t be a problem and the horse is going really well.
“There’s no reason why he shouldn’t run well again on Saturday.”
Since having a 42-day freshen-up during the late summer and early autumn, Guizot has notched two wins and finished second on another two occasions from six starts.
“The aim was to try to win the handicap at Warrnambool (on April 30), which he did, and then he went on to win at Caulfield which was good,” Purcell said.
“He didn’t get the best ride in his next run at Flemington and then at Swan Hill last start he just missed.
“His form has been really good and he still looks well, so I’d expect him to run well again.
“He’s at a stage of his preparation where he’s just going one run at a time and we just re-assess after each run. He pulled up great after Swan Hill so this was the next suitable assignment and everything has gone perfectly.”
Jordan Childs takes the ride on Guizot who has barrier two in the field of nine.
The Chris Waller-trained Wyong Cup and Newcastle Cup winner Carzoff, who is second-up from a spell on Saturday, has top weight with 60kg but that will be offset by apprentice Michael Poy’s 2kg claim.
Dr Drill, a dominant winner over 1800m at Flemington last start, has the outside barrier and is joined in the race by One More Try and Masculino who filled the minor placings behind him at Flemington.
