Import Chorlton Lane left co-trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Jason Collett scratching their heads after his second-up performance, but both are optimistic the former UK galloper can rebound at Rosehill.
After posting a scintillating win at his Australian debut, the four-year-old failed to show the same turn of foot when a battling fourth to Kangaroo Court last month.
Not one to look for excuses, Maher instead worked on ironing out the horse’s preparation, fitting him with a tongue tie and sending him back to the barrier trials where Chorlton Lane caught the eye when cruising into third at Warwick Farm on August 4.
“I was a bit baffled by that (second) run and he’s a quiet horse anyway, but I just thought he was a fraction (too) quiet,” Maher said.
“I noted (Wednesday) morning he was nice and bouncy, although he’s still very relaxed, so maybe he was just a fraction off.”
Collett likewise struggled to pinpoint the reason for Chorlton Lane’s flat second-up run but has been buoyed by his subsequent trial.
“He definitely didn’t have that explosive finish that he had first-up,” Collett said.
“It wasn’t the same horse.
“But what I felt at the trials was what I felt first-up and I think that’s a good sign.
“If he produces that first-up run again, he’s a pretty classy horse going forward.”
Chorlton Lane drops 100m in distance for Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill where he has drawn well in gate four.
He was a $4.40 chance on Thursday with Queensland visitor Freedom Rally an easing even-money favourite.
