Godolphin trainer James Cummings is banking on a return to the Flemington straight being beneficial for Legio Ten.
The four-year-old runs in the RDA Oaklands Trophy (1200m) on Saturday, looking to build on a win and third-place finish in two starts on the Flemington straight.
Legio Ten won over 1100m in June last year before running third behind stablemate Renosu in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) the following month.
In one other start at Flemington, Legio Ten finished second over 1400m.
Since that winter campaign in Melbourne last year, Legio Ten has campaigned in Sydney, winning at Rosehill in December, while he kickstarted his winter campaign at Scone last month finishing in a midfield position.
Legio Ten was down to run last Saturday at the abandoned Rosehill meeting which forced Cummings to switch his attention south.
“He’s got to get himself back in the game,” Cummings said.
“He missed a run on the weekend with that abandoned meeting at Rosehill, but he’s found himself in a pretty good race on Saturday.
“It might be a bit of a blessing in disguise (missing that race) because he can travel more comfortably, not so far from the lead, as in most races up the straight of this nature horses are left alone early and that’s good news for Legio Ten.”
Legio Ten gave his rivals a start when resuming at Scone and came from near the tail of the field.
Cummings was impressed with the way Legio Ten finished off that race and more importantly the improvement the gelding has taken from the outing.
“I’d say off the back of his exciting finishing sectionals first-up, and while he didn’t hit the board, it was a good run,” Cummings said.
“If he can transfer that form, with that added fitness up the straight, and where he can be seen to advantage, it will be an interesting race for him.
“He’s certainly flying going into it.”
