The higher bar of competition across metro and provincial racing over springtime in Victoria has Ballarat-based Henry Dwyer sending a runner who can strike back winning form to Adelaide on Saturday.
Nishino Crescent firmed from $13 into $11 overnight and Dwyer is hoping the five-year-old by Japanese sire Satono Aladdin can make it two wins in three outings so far this preparation in the Grand Syndicates Handicap (2014m) at Morphettville – an event the trainer sees as a balance between stakes company and lower grade events.
The gelding won at Geelong first-up in benchmark 64 company but finished out of the placings at Sandown last start on September 18.
“He’s one of those horses that when you want to draw a wide barrier you draw an inside barrier, and when you want to draw an inside barrier you draw wide,” Dwyer said with reference to barrier three.
“He needs to draw wider because he likes a bit of space around him. He’s a bit of a tricky horse.
“If he can get back and to the outside, he can be a good chance.”
Being able to be further back in the field and make a sweeping run was the recipe to success at Geelong on September 1 and Dwyer says that the wider Morphettville track will suit.
“If he is able to get that clear galloping room, Morphettville is that type of track where you can finish over the top of them.”
Stablemate Almonti ($6.50) is an acceptor in the fourth event but is likely to stay closer to home and take on the Avoca Cup (1860m) also on Saturday.
Dwyer’s star mare Asfoora finished quarantine this week after returning from the UK following her fourth placing in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York in August.
“She’ll have four or five weeks in the paddock and then hit the water walker,” Dwyer said.
“Then we’ll do it all again.”
Asfoora’s race return is expected to be in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in February.
