New trainer Archie Alexander has hit something of a reset button with journeyman galloper Night’s Watch, hoping for a return to his best form.
The dual Group 3 winner has had a swathe of gear changes and scenery in preparation for his comeback to the racetrack on Saturday at Pakenham.
“I am really, really happy with him. The connections thought he might have needed a change, something different,” Alexander said.
“He was performing well in Sydney, but he’s an older horse, so maybe something different (might work).
“He worried me a little bit before he got here because I know he’s had quirks and he is not straightforward. If you look at the gear list through his life and he’s had every gadget, gear and theory on him.
“So I wasn’t too confident, but touchwood, he has been really good so far. He’s a nice, happy horse and his work has been good and his trials have been good.
“He has trialled well and everything like that but get him on to a racetrack and it might be very different. So let’s just see how we go.”
Night’s Watch is a class galloper on his day, just over a year ago finishing second to Fierce Impact in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Fierce Impact wins the G1 Toorak Handicap.@CWilliamsJockey notches up his second win in the race. pic.twitter.com/wci7oVHTfL
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2019
“We are going there to win the race, but it’s not the grand final. As long as we have a nice run and the horse performs well wherever he finishes, we are not too fussed.
“We just want a good first-up run and then we can do a bit better when he gets to a more realistic weight.”
Night’s Watch is currently a $12 chance at Pakenham on Saturday.
| Horse | Win | Place | ||
| 1 | Night’s Watch (9)J: Damian Lane 62kg T: Archie Alexander | $12.00 | $3.30 | Bet Now |
| 2 | All Too Huiying (3)J: Will Price 61.5kg T: P Stokes | $5.50 | $1.90 | Bet Now |
| 3 | Gold Fields (4)J: Campbell Rawiller 60kg T: Logan Mcgill | $7.00 | $2.25 | Bet Now |
| 4 | Shot Of Irish (8)J: Teodore Nugent 58.5kg T: Richard Laming | $12.00 | $3.30 | Bet Now |
| 5 | Asterius (6)J: Michael Walker 56kg T: C J Waller | $34.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
| 6 | My Pendant (10)J: Jamie Kah 56kg T: D T O’brien | $7.50 | $2.30 | Bet Now |
| 7 | Defibrillate (2)J: Tahlia Hope 56kg T: Patrick Payne | $34.00 | $6.00 | Bet Now |
| 8 | Tavidance (7)J: Damien Oliver 56kg T: M Price & M Kent Jnr | $2.50 | $1.30 | Bet Now |
| 9 | Safin (5)J: Daniel Stackhouse 56kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes | $41.00 | $7.00 | Bet Now |
| 10 | Walking Flying (1)J: Craig Williams 56kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes | $9.00 | $2.50 | Bet Now |
