Progressive galloper Exploitable Doubt can return to winning form when he takes on easier grade in today's final race at Gunnedah – the Erin Park Stud Tamworth Handicap (race 9).
The lightly raced entire, a four year old by Not A Single Doubt, has good form from limited runs but proved he was up to this open class 1300m handicap with his effort last time.
Prepared by Rodney Northam at Scone, Exploitable Doubt has raced just 11 times for four wins and two minors with two of the wins coming at this distance range.
Last campaign he was a second up Scone winner over 1300m in a Benchmark 75 before finishing seventh at Rosehill in Saturday class.
There he wasn't the best away and was used up early before fading to finish five lengths from the winner and was subsequently spelled.
He resumed in the Muswellbrook Sprint over 1000m and after drawing wide was back and wide throughout before failing to come on, finishing ninth.
He then dropped back to a Benchmark 75 at home over 1100mk and after racing fourth throughout stuck on well to finish eighth, finding traffic in the run home when only 1.6 lengths from the winner.
Last start, stepping up in journey to 1350m for the Cessnock Cup, he took up the running early and was there throughout, kicking strongly in the straight before being grabbed with 100m to go, fighting back but failing narrowly behind Beaveroo.
Today he finds an easier assignment but is well placed here with a slightly lighter weight and a good gate.
He is at his top now, the trip is ideal and he will take running down again.
Fellow Scone galloper Star Of Dubai looks the biggest danger.
Also a lightly race four-year-old, Star Of Dubai has actually never missed the placings from 10 runs including four wins.
He scored over 1700m at Walcha at his last run before a break, running on from last to win by almost two lengths.
He picked up where he left off scoring fresh but over 1100m at Scone, then placed at Muswellbrook after covering ground from a wide gate.
His run was good after being posted three deep and facing the breeze throughout to finish just over a length from the winner.
Last start, over 1300m in a Class 3 at Muswellbrook, he drew the inside gate and after settling third with a good run proved too strong in the run home to score again.
He meets a much tougher grade here as he steps out in open class but drops 3.5kg on a last start win and has drawn the inside.
The trip suits and he should measure up to this company.
Clever Hans is fitter for one run back and should prove an each way chance.
The gelding raced in this class fresh at Tamworth over 1200m and boxed on well for fourth.
The extra trip suits, he has drawn well and on his consistent overall record should run well.
Scussy Moola ran sixth in that same race last start at Clever Hans but did bomb the start.
He has a sound record at the trip and despite a wide gate should be getting home strongly.
