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A change of gear has made a world of difference to Motorboat Mike in 2016.
Winton trainer Sophie Price had wondered whether the two-year winless streak was ever going to end for the son of Perfectly Ready.
That is until the new year rolled around and Price decided to make some changes.
"We thought, well, it was a new year, so time for a new jockey and a change of gear and it's definitely helped him.''
Price had used a shadow roll and blinkers, but decided to dispense with those before the Gore Cup on January 23.
The result?
A one-length win in the $30,000 feature.
That was followed up four weeks later by a half-head victory in the Invercargill Gold Cup at Winton and Price has a rejuvenated horse on her hands.
"I think just a bit of age on him has matured him a bit. And I took that gear off him - that sharpened him up,'' she said.
"He just seems to want to win now. He's got that fight about him.''
Now 7, Motorboat Mike is able to cope with a more regular diet of trackwork.
"He's holding his weight a lot better, too. Last year he was quite scrawny. You'd race him, but then you'd have to give him a few days off because he'd drop away on you.''
Price's main goal for Motorboat Mike is the Riverton Cup, but she expects him to be competitive tomorrow, especially carrying 57.5kg after jockey Racha Cuneen's 1kg claim.
"He had 59kg on last start and that didn't worry him. That's the thing - he never used to be able to carry the weights either but he's managing that a bit better, too.''
The going is not quite as easy for Price with Dermott Brown, who lines up in the 1100m open handicap.
Price said the 5yr-old had been working well but was still recovering from a bad virus.
"But he's dropping back to 1100m which suits him - he's won two at that distance - and he's got no weight on him either,'' Price said.
Tomorrow's run will help Price to decide her next move with the son of Rusty Spur.
"If he tails off like he did the other day, I'm just wondering if he still has the virus in him.
"If he can't run in the first five this week, I'd have to start re-thinking things.''