Travis Doudle will step into unfamiliar territory when Not Usual Glorious races at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
It will be Doudle’s first Sydney runner as he searches for a softer ground with the talented former Kiwi galloper who boasts some high-profile owners including Port Adelaide stars Ollie Wines, Tom Clurey and Darcy Byrne-Jones along with former teammates Tom Rockliff and John Butcher.
“We bought him back early and wanted to get some solid fitness into him,’’ Doudle said.
“Knowing his best form in on wet tracks it’s hard to plan for that, but this race looked a really good option for him,’’ he said.
Given the wild wet weather on the countries east coast, Sydney will again be racing on heavy conditions on Saturday and leading Victorian Brett Prebble has been booked to ride.
“He arrived there early in the week and his gallop Thursday morning was very good from all reports,’’ Doudle said.
“He is up there with Anthony Cummings. Anthony sent his horse Mizzy down to me during last year’s carnival and was happy to repay the favour,’’ he said.
Locally Doudle has promising four-year-old Struck By seeking a repeat performance at Morphettville on the Parks following ultra-impressive win first-up from a spell.
“He’s going super and come through his first-up run really well,’’ Doudle said.
“There looks to be plenty of speed in the race, he jumped so well to lead first-up, but I think he can sit behind them if he needs to which has done before and won,’’ he said.
He also Prince Tikea on debut early in the opening race.
“He’s a horse capable of winning a race like that,’’ Doudle said.
“But he’s very green, he can mix his work but hopefully he brings his best to the races on Saturday,’’ he said.