Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams is banking on a drop in grade and a return to Sandown being a winning formula for Mi Rock Aly (NZ) (El Roca).
A Sandown winner three starts back, Mi Rock Ali runs in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Refund Handicap (2400m) on Saturday coming off the back of a last start eighth in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 2.
After starting her career with Paul Preusker, a tendon injury saw the mare transferred to Williams before Mi Rock Ali reinjured the tendon requiring another year-long stint on the sidelines.
Williams said Mi Rock Ali has had ‘her issues’ but was racing well and he had forgiven the mare for her last start at Warrnambool where she wasn’t happy in the ground.
“I’m not sure she was entirely at home on the ground at Warrnambool last time and she probably had to do a little bit too much work from the gate to come across,” Williams said.
“There was a fair amount of pressure going out of the straight and this time she is drawn well, back to benchmark 70 grade and if you look at that Bendigo race, that should see her in the firing line somewhere.”
At Sandown three starts back, Mi Rock Aly defeated Samuel Langhorne (NZ) (Shocking) over 2400m before that galloper turned the tables at Bendigo on April 13.
Samuel Langhorne was then successful at Flemington before running sixth in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington last week.
While Mi Rock Ali has been burdened with 59.5kg, that has been offset by the 3kg claim for in-form apprentice Tatum Bull.
