Will Hulbert has written off Felix The Scat’s Group 1 Sydney tilt as a “disaster” but has seen some positive signs to suggest the colt can make his presence felt in Saturday’s $1m Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Hulbert ventured to Sydney with two-year-old Felix The Scat with high hopes after he impressed enough in Brisbane to be given his chance at the elite level of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes on April 15.
But the colt hated a wet track at Randwick that day and tailed off last, beaten a long way behind juvenile star Militarize.
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All was not lost in the Sydney trip as Hulbert, who co-trains with father Peter, felt the travel and the experience will stand Felix The Scat in good stead for the future.
Back to his home ground on Saturday for a crack at the rich Sires’, Will Hulbert said there have been some good recent signals the colt would be competitive.
“He had a jumpout on Tuesday, in a heat against the older horses,” Hulbert said.
“I wanted him to have a decent hitout instead of bludging against two-year-olds, because he only does what he has to.
‘I thought if he could run in amongst these older, open company horses, he would have done a good job.
“He actually won the heat.
“Two-year-olds probably shouldn’t do that against older horses.
“Sydney was a disaster because he hated the wet track.
“That was a total forget run.”
Will Hulbert has Felix The Scat in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography
After a short break, Felix The Scat will race on the fresh side on Saturday.
That combined with a decent barrier (8), gives Hulbert confidence that he will give a good account of himself and produce a forward showing in the $1m contest over 1400m.
“Even in the jumpout on Tuesday, he sat up outside the leader and was nice and fresh,” Hulbert said.
“We don’t have to drag him back to last all the time, it’s just what we had to do sometimes when we drew poor barriers.
“The barrier is perfect for him on Saturday, we will definitely be a lot more positive.
“He may feel the pinch a bit in the last 100m.
“But if he can have a soft enough run, he is going to be there at the end of it.
“I don’t think there are any real standout two-year-olds at the moment (racing in Brisbane).
“I think last year’s two-year-olds were probably a lot stronger than these ones.”
All being well, Felix The Scat will progress to the Group 1 JJ Atkins over 1600m on Stradbroke Handicap day.
Felix The Scat is rated a $41 chance on TAB fixed odds in the Sires’ and he is a $26 chance in the JJ Atkins.