After a missed opportunity in another famous Randwick feature, the road to the Doncaster Mile hasn’t all been smooth sailing for import Numerian.
But trainer Annabel Neasham is banking on the horse’s talent and liking for wet tracks to help negate his light build-up.
Numerian wasn’t disgraced at his Australian debut in the spring when he finished seventh and less than two lengths from Atishu in the Bill Ritchie Handicap.
The effort put the six-year-old on an Epsom Handicap path, but he didn’t get to the race.
“I was pretty confident he was going to run a big race in the Epsom and he got kicked coming off the track after his last gallop, so that ruled him out for the remainder (of the spring),” Neasham said.
“He’s had a long break and that has been the challenge, getting these European horses fit off long lay-offs. They’re not used to that.
“But he’s had two trials and a jump out. He went down to Melbourne for that first run and he was super, and he seems to have come through it well.
“He’s still at the start of the prep but I think he is forward enough and has got the right sort of credentials to be very competitive here.”
Numerian has raced three times on heavy tracks overseas for a win and a second, highlighted by his decision over subsequent Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet in Listed grade two years ago.
He was doing his best work late when a first-up sixth over 1600m at Flemington under 60kg and drops to 51kg on Saturday.
Numerian will be joined in Saturday’s $3 million race by stablemate Laws Of Indices, who heads to the Doncaster off the back of a third to Forbidden Love in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
While Neasham would prefer to see Laws Of Indices on a drier surface, she believes he is more than capable of featuring.
“I get the impression he’s better on a dry track, but handicap conditions will really suit him and again, he’s a very well-credentialled horse for this race,” she said.
Coolmore Classic winner Lighthouse was still displaying signs of lameness when inspected by Racing NSW vets on Friday and will undergo a further inspection on Saturday to determine whether she is fit to take her place in the Doncaster Mile.