The Peter Moody and Katherine ColemanĀ stable are bankingĀ on the longer the preparation goes the better it will turn out for Pounding.
The five-year-old will line up for the sixth run of the campaign when he contestsĀ the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Pounding’s current campaign kicked off in the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield in August while his most recent outingĀ was over 1800mĀ at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Judging on Pounding’s campaign last preparation, he is not even halfway through theĀ campaign. His last campaign commencedĀ in July 2022 and ran through to the Australian Cup at Flemington in MarchĀ for a total of 13 runs.
Coleman said Pounding had been disappointing on face value this time inĀ but added races had not been run to suit the gelding.
She is hoping for a different scenario on Saturday.
“We’veĀ electedĀ to lower the sights a little bit and get him back winning,” Coleman said.
“At Flemington I think heĀ got there too soon and was left in front and was just bobbing away there and didn’tĀ attack the line with much purpose, so we’veĀ had a play around and tried to keep him a bit fresher at home and go from there.
“He’sĀ a horse that does thrive on his racing. We space his runs,Ā and he can sustain a long prep.
“He also likes the firm tracks, so this could be coming into a nice time of year for him, hopefully.”
What Coleman does not want to see is the rainfall that is forecast to fall at Cranbourne on Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting between two and 20mmĀ which will not suit Pounding who is better performed on top of the ground.
“HopefullyĀ the rain stays away,” Coleman said.
“But if it does rain, hopefully it will be closer toĀ theĀ two mils, rather than the 20 mils.”
