Paul Snowden has seen it all before and says Redzel is tracking perfectly for his defence of the Group One Doomben 10,000.
The dual Group One winner was beaten by English in a barrier at Randwick on Tuesday when regular rider Kerrin McEvoy kept Redzel under a relatively tight rein.
English was driven to the line from back in the pack in the 1050m-heat to confirm her place in the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday week.
“It was only a blow-out, a half a mile fitness gallop. Kerrin kept a hold of him,” Snowden said.
“There’s no need to empty a horse like him out in a trial. When he has to do it, he does it.”
Redzel returns from a freshen-up for the $700,000 weight-for-age feature in Brisbane following a second to Trapeze Artist in the Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 7.
“Everything’s the same and hopefully he’ll turn up on race day,” Snowden said.
Snowden, who trains with his father Peter, said the two were far from discouraged after Redzel finished three-quarters of a length off Trapeze Artist.
“There are a couple of little things that soften you up in any race you’re in and one swooping late just got him in the shadows,” he said.
“We’re not disappointed with the horse by any means. He keeps buttering up with the best we’ve got.”
James Macdonald was under instructions to give English a tougher run and co-trainer Adrian Bott was pleased with her performance on heavy ground before the Doomben 10,000.
“Redzel was nicely held together and English was made to find the line and really run through it,” he said.
“She’s had a nice little freshen-up after the TJ and she’s responded well.”
