But Cambridge co-trainer Andrew Forsman reckons a big run in the Sarten Memorial last month was just what Turn Me Loose needed before the $400,000 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton.
The Ifraaj colt was one of three classy gallopers to stumble or slip at Te Rapa, but recovered well to fly home for third behind O'Marilyn - another slow starter. The pair were split in the placings by Vinnie Eagle, who was the other to lose his footing.
''It was always the plan to ride him back a bit, but not that far back,'' Forsman laughed.
''It was probably the making of the horse in a lot of ways. It's going to stand him in good stead now that he can get back and come from behind them rather than having to go forward all the time - it was just because of bad barrier draws.''
Such draws are not an issue tomorrow, with Turn Me Loose set to jump from barrier 5 in the 10-horse field.
''He's drawn perfectly on Saturday, so he should be in the first three or four anyway.
''Having Vinnie Eagle drawn inside him helps, too. He'll probably go forward and if something sits outside him, we could be one off the fence and that would be perfect.''
Forsman and his senior training partner, Murray Baker, prepared Atlante to win last year's edition of the Guineas, and are able to again call on Opie Bosson to take the reins.
That prospect was looking less likely after Bosson announced early last month he was taking some time away from racing, but he was back energised and ready to ride Turn Me Loose again in the Sarten.
''It was probably blown up a bit in the media as a retirement, and it was never going to be that,'' Forsman said.
''But were were lucky he decided that he'd come back sooner rather than later.''
''Opie always sorts them out in those big races and always ends up in the right spot.''
Turn Me Loose is yet to extend beyond 1400m but his slashing run in the Sarten gave Forsman the feeling an extra 200m should be no problem.
''He's never given any indication he wouldn't run a strong mile or even a middle distance in time. I'd hate to be thinking we'll be using it as an excuse - he should be running it out strongly.''
Turn Me Loose was a $2.80 favourite with the New Zealand TAB yesterday, with Stratocaster sitting in second favouritism at $4.80, so there is no surprise Forsman named the Jeff McVean and Emma-Lee Browne-trained galloper as the biggest threat.
''Stratocaster would be the one we're most worried about,'' he said.
''He's always looked like a nice horse and the further he goes, the more competitive he's going to be, and up to the mile is going to suit him probably the most out of any of the opposition we're going to be racing against.''
