Trainer Bruce Hill has decided to erase Man of His Word’s last-start failure from his memory banks.
Man of His Word was an excellent third in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on May 5 before being well-beaten when 10th in the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m).
Hill was at first disappointed but on reflection decided to give Man Of His Word another chance at a middle distance in the Group Two O’Shea (2200m) Stakes at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Hill also entered Man Of His Word for the Spear Chief Stakes (1400m).
“I think he might have begun too well for his own good in the Doomben Cup,” Hill said.
“He usually gets back and runs on but he was just behind the pace and going strongly.”
“When they got going he got left and it was against his usual racing pattern.
“If you can repeat the Hollindale run he will be in the finish on Saturday.”
Hill said he wasn’t sure how Man of His Word would go on a wet track with the Sunshine Coast track heavy on Thursday but expected to improve with clear weather ahead of race day.
“He worked on the course proper on Tuesday at the Gold Coast and went strongly when it was soft. But races are a different thing,” he said.
Michael Cahill takes over from the suspended Brad Stewart on Man Of His Word
The Chris Waller trained Egg Tart is the short-priced favourite in the O’Shea after her second to stablemate Comin’s Through in the Doomben Cup.
Hill remains encouraged by Man Of His Word’s Hollindale effort when he beat Egg Tart home although both had little luck n the straight.
Man Of His Word was on the third line of betting at $10 on Thursday with Egg Tart the $1.60 favourite.
New Zealander Leith Innes returns to ride the mare as she chases her first win since the 2017 Queensland Oaks.
