Trainer Matthew Williams says it is hard to get a line on Harbour Views as he prepares for his first-up run at Flemington.
Harbour Views is set to contest the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Plate (1400m) in his first outing since a three-run campaign last spring.
That campaign saw Harbour Views win first-up over Saturday’s course and distance in a performance that slightly shocked Williams.
But Williams is also buoyed by that performance and believes Harbour Views is in a similar vein of form leading into his first-up outing.
“We’re always cuddling him a bit and he doesn’t have any searching gallops at the track,” Williams said.
“I always think he’s going to the races about 85 per cent, 90 per cent at best, but he’s such a good horse fresh that he always runs well when he’s a little bit underdone as hasn’t left anything on the track.
“For that reason, I’m confident he will run better than I’m expecting off what he’s done at home.”
Williams said it was now up to Harbour Views and John Allen on Saturday.
He said the gelding has a good draw while Harbour Views also gets his preferred racing surface.
Williams is hoping a top three finish will give Harbour Views a start in the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 2.
And after that, Williams has not looked too far into the program although the Group 2 Feehan Stakes, a race he finished third in behind Humidor and Surprise Baby at The Valley in 2020, could be revisited.
“I just want to get him back, have a look at his on Saturday,” Williams said.
“The Feehan Stakes at The Valley is something we could look at as at that stage the tracks have not dried out too much.
“But one thing I have learned is not to plan too far ahead with him.”
