Paul Perry says filly Amalfi Scape will be a different horse to the one which finished 18-and-a-half lengths last on debut in April when she contests the Robert Thompson Maiden Handicap (900m) at Cessnock on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dreamscape three-year-old was immediately spelled after her poor first start, which puzzled her trainer.
“I’m not too sure why she ran so poor that day,” Perry said.
“She travelled so well and I thought she was looking like a good chance before the turn but when the jockey let her go she didn’t respond.
“I think it’s just a maturity thing. I couldn’t find a reason why she ran badly at her first start.”
Amalfi Scape returned from an 18-week spell to record an impressive two-and-a-half-length win in her barrier trial over 800 metres at Gosford on August 3.
Perry’s only concern on Thursday is the wide draw and he’s expecting Amalfi Scape to push forward from gate 11.
“She’s going very well now and I liked her trial,” Perry said.
“She showed a lot of early speed in the trial and I think she’s turned the corner.
“The horse has always had something, but she was a bit of a handful too.”
In another good sign for Perry, top country jockey Blake Spriggs quickly choose to stay on the filly following her slick trial and he’ll need all his skills to overcome an awkward run to the home bend.
“He was happy with her in the trial. Blake said she went really well so I’m confident she’ll be right in this race,” Perry said.
“Her family got over a bit of ground and I’d say I’ll step her up in after this race.”
The first of seven races at Cessnock jumps at 1.12pm with Amalfi Scape contesting race three at 2.28pm.