Rejuvenated sprinter Guard Of Honour will be looking for a change of luck at the Sunshine Coast when he takes on local star Tarzan.
Guard Of Honour won his first race in 19 months when successful in an Open Handicap (900m) at the Gold Coast on January 4.
That was his first start for Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida who has been impressed with the gelding’s attitude since he was transferred from Newcastle’s Kris Lees.
“We haven’t reinvented the wheel. Often a change of scenery works with these older horses,” Schweida said.
“He won a trial and was good at the Gold Coast but Saturday will be another test.
“He is a stakes winner and been placed in some good Group races and if he can find that form he will be hard to beat.”
Guard Of Honour is set to take on a field of speedy short-course sprinters including the “King of the Sunshine Coast, Tarzan, in the Open Handicap (1000m) on Saturday for which 14 entries have been taken.
Tarzan has won 16 races during his career, 10 over the Sunshine Coast 1000m circuit.
Guard Of Honour had three starts at the Sunshine Coast for Lees and each time featured in the stewards reports as being unlucky.
Saturday’s race will be his first clash with Tarzan who has proven virtually unbeatable at the Sunshine Coast in the past year.
Schweida believes there is one benefit in having Tarzan in Saturday’s field as it should ensure Guard Of Honour is not burdened with too much weight.