Trainer Steve Richards is pleased to see the Caulfield rail in the true position as he prepares Holbien for his latest attempt at winning a race at stakes level.
Holbien has a penchant for wanting to hug the rail in his races and trainer Steve Richards says that has cost the gelding a number of wins.
The seven-year-old has placed five times in black type races and Richards is hoping the rail will be of no disadvantage when Holbien contests the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
The trainer believes wanting to stay to the rail cost Holbien a last start victory at Pakenham when nailed late by Frankie Pinot on December 4.
“He rolls on to the fence and you can’t get him off, he hugs it and its cost him races.,” Richards said.
“If he could have got to the centre of the track a few times, especially at Flemington, he may have won a few more races instead of running second.”
Richards said Holbien had taken time to reach his peak this campaign but after four runs is confident the gelding will run the 1700m right out.
At his only attempt at the trip, he was run down by Flemington specialist Vassilator back in April while his last run at Caulfield over a similar journey resulted in a 1600m win in May.
“He’s had a couple of goes in these types of races and hasn’t been far away and he’s pretty one dimensional,” Richards said.
“You don’t have to give the jockey any instructions, just leg them on and he does the rest.
“He’s a good sound horse. We’ve never had a problem with him.
“I always thought early days that he would race until he’s an eight-year-old. He’s still competitive and earns a cheque nearly every time he goes around.
“He’s more than paid for himself.”