Trainer David Payne is confident once the blinkers go on Ace High his jockey will see a different horse in the Caulfield Cup.
Damien Oliver was partnered with Ace High for the first time in a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday and quipped afterwards about the laziness of the work.
But Payne was unfazed, saying the four-year-old is in perfect shape ahead of Saturday's $5 million handicap.
“He's done everything asked of him but he's not a horse that shows you much at home but come race day that's when he shapes up,” Payne said.
“He's lazy. He's never won a gallop so don't go on his work.
“He doesn't come good until the blinkers go on come race day and I just wanted him to see the track this morning, that's all.
“He's a racehorse.”
Ace High is joined by $81 outsider Mighty Boss and $5 favourite Youngstar as the only three locally bred gallopers in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.
Payne said Ace High loves to get into a dogfight and will enjoy the tough 2400m contest.
He's raced twice at 2400m, or further, winning the VRC Derby at Flemington and being touched out by a nose in the Australian Derby at Randwick in the autumn.
“His blood picture is good and he's ready for Saturday,” Payne said.
“All these Cups are always strong but when you look at his form once he steps up to 2000 metres that when he strikes form, so I'm hoping it will carry on.”
The four-year-old was rated an $11 chance following Tuesday's field declaration with the barrier draw to be decided at 11am on Wednesday.
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