Griffith says Schedule “going really well” ahead of Highway Hcp
MUDGEE trainer Mack Griffith is expecting a bold showing from his lightly raced gelding Schedule this Saturday when he lines up in the Highway Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
The son of High Chaparral and Sylvaner has only had three starts for Griffith since relocating from Victoria last year, but has been impressive, scoring two victories and a narrow second between 1280m and 1400m.
His most recent effort, at Scone on March 26 saw Schedule finish strongly to score by 0.1 lengths over Niccobelle and Cleve Hill.
Schedule, to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, will meet a talented field including last start winners Spiral, Alot Like Home and Only Choice, but Griffith says the five-year-old has trained on well since his last start and expects a big run this Saturday.
“He is going really well – I think he has improved off his last run based on what he has shown us at home,” Griffith told HorseBetting.com.au.
“He is a last start winner so he is obviously in form and the form from his last race has stood up so I expect him to be hard to beat on Saturday.
“It was a tough win – he hit the line very strong. In all his races and track work the last part is his strongest and I think the Randwick track will suit him this week.
Despite being lightly raced, Griffith says Schedule continues to do everything right and is starting to mature into a serious racer.
“He is doing everything we have asked of him,” he said.
“He was only lightly raced when we got him off Lloyd Williams and he has only had the three starts for two wins since then.
“He is a bit highly strung so we didn’t want to pressure him too much and just give him the time to settle back down after each race.
“He left for Sydney today so he’ll do down there and settle in for a few days – so he should be ready to rock on Saturday.
“He has only got to put up the run which he did last start and he will go very close.”
The Highway Handicap is race five at Randwick this Saturday and is set to jump at 1.45pm.