Time will still be Jules Manzoni's best friend but his trainer, Amber Hoffman, cannot fault the 4yr-old ahead of his fresh-up run at Forbury Park tonight.
The son of Rocknroll Hanover had just one race start in his last campaign, winning on debut at Forbury Park on August 27.
Hoffman said at the time the gelding would improve with 12 months under the belt - and six months on, her theory looks like it is tracking in the right direction.
"He's definitely improved,'' she said.
"He's a bit more switched on than what he was last time in. I still think he'll be a better horse this time next year - he's such a big tall animal, he just needs to fill out.''
After a third at the Forbury Park workouts on January 16, Jules Manzoni won a four-horse trial at Forbury Park a week later before running second to Cullen Who at the Oamaru trials on February 3.
"He went really good at the Oamaru trials, and he's definitely a bit stronger and mentally better.''
Blair Orange will take the reins behind the 4yr-old from barrier 1, after Hoffman opted for a regular c1 race rather than a penalty-free junior drivers' race.
"I just don't think he's ready for the hustle and bustle of the [junior drivers] going hell for leather,'' she said.
"He's got a good draw so it's not like he has to do all the work. He's got gate speed, so he should get himself handy anyway.''
"Blair will look after him and he wanted back on, so that's normally a good sign.''
By contrast, Hoffman's other runner in the c1 mobile pace could not have asked for a worse draw.
Hokuri Railrida will start from barrier 9 in the hands of Jonny Cox, which is completely opposite to his preferred style of racing.
"It's a shocking draw for him because he doesn't like to do any work whatsoever - Coxy is just going to have to pull him back and drive for luck.''
Ygritte's form line does not inspire in the c1 trot, with two duck eggs in her last two starts, but Hoffman is hoping a good run at the Forbury Park trials on Saturday and the addition of half-hopples could make the difference.
"She went to the trials on Saturday and was going backwards when they let the tapes go so she had a bit of a gallop. But after that she went amazing and sprinted up the straight awesome. If she trots all the way, I think she'll be thereabouts at the finish.''
Eastburn Mara is a "top six'' chance in a good c2-c5 pacing field, while Jacky's Choice has been moved from Tony Barron's Makarewa stables to Hoffman's Westwood Beach property with the hope a change of scenery will make a difference.
More Alimony could be a sneaky each-way chance in race 3 provided he stays away from the markers, and Hoffman hopes Trigger Happy does everything right in her debut in race 2.
Tips from the talent
Geoff Knight
Onedin Onyx (Race 5, No 4)
Brad Williamson
Heard The Whisper (Race 4, No 6)
Matthew Williamson
Onedin Onyx (Race 5, No 4)
Nathan Williamson
McKenzie Mara (Race 5, No 2)
Jonny Cox
Och Aye The Noo (Race 4, No 7)
