New Zealand trainer Mark Walker has called on an old friend from his days in Singapore for the ride on Exuberance at Caulfield.
Joao Moreira will pilot the filly when she runs in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday.
Walker and Moreira combined on 204 occasions during their time in Singapore, winning on 48 occasions with a further 61 placings.
Exuberance broke through for her maiden victory at Cranbourne last start, and Walker’s assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said the filly can be a bit of a ‘hot-head’.
That is the reason Walker has called on Moreira for the ride on Saturday.
“It was only a maiden over 1200 metres at Cranbourne last start, but she did do it the tough way,” Gleeson said.
“She led them up, she got headed, and then she fought back and won.
“She’s a filly that’s been a little bit cantankerous in her work, does like to get a bit keen, but we’re trying to teach her to settle and drop off them.
“Laura who rides her every day at home and is one of the best judges I’ve ever seen on a horse, has been really happy with her.
“We’ve got Moreira on who’s got some of the best hands in the business, and that’s purely why we booked him.
“If he can get her to settle in a good rhythm, I think she’ll be a flashing light and hopefully figuring in the finish, but we’ve got two eyes looking towards a mile in time.”
Gleeson said Exuberence profiles like a filly that will relish 1600m, and further, and there are plans afoot for the filly to contest the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 16.
But should the filly require time after Saturday’s race, Gleeson said Walker would not hesitate in sending the filly for a break.
“We’ve been very vocal with the owners that we don’ t want to rush her,” Gleeson said.
“She’s an immature, Savabeel filly, even though she’ s a beautiful-looking horse.
“I think in the autumn, she’ll be an absolutely stunning type, and we just want to get it right early in her career to set her up for a good future.”