Travelling young horses is often used as a tool to help them mature and Annabel Neasham is seeing a noticeable change in Man In The Mirror since his recent trip to Melbourne.
The colt headed interstate last start for a hit-and-run raid on the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, finishing a gallant second.
Neasham was pleased with his performance but has been even happier with his attitude since his return to Sydney.
“I find travelling those two-year-olds really brings them on and I’ve noticed a real difference in him,” Neasham said.
“He was quite casual, but he has really woken up and seems to be much more on the job since he’s come back from Melbourne.”
Man In The Mirror is set to line up in Saturday’s Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, although Neasham is cautious of the heavy conditions.
The son of Not A Single Doubt wasn’t disgraced when fifth on a similar surface in the Skyline Stakes two starts ago but his better performances have been on top of the ground.
He overcame his inexperience to win on debut at Warwick Farm in December and was again prominent when runner-up on a good track in Melbourne.
“He wasn’t as effective on the wet track here before so I’m hoping the forecast is wrong and it can dry out a bit,” she said.
“He will handle rain-affected tracks, but I don’t think he’d want it completely bottomless.
“He is a really talented colt and I think he’s improved a lot.
“But he is going to improve again into a three-year-old. He’s got a bit of size and scope as well, so he’s a pretty exciting horse.”
Man In The Mirror is a $26 chance for the Sires’ Produce Stakes, with Golden Slipper winner Fireburn a $2.50 favourite to become the first filly since Merlene in 1996 to claim the first two legs of the juvenile triple crown.