A turnaround in barriers has buoyed Matt Smith’s confidence that Esti Feny can make his presence felt in his rematch with last-start conqueror Huetor in the Q22.
The Hungarian import endured a torrid run from a wide gate in the Doomben Cup (2100m) but stuck to his guns to finish sixth to his Peter and Paul Snowden-trained rival Huetor, who surged through along the inside to win.
“They don’t generally stick on like that when they’ve been three-wide all the way,” Smith said.
“Considering the run he had, I’m sure he would have run first three with even luck in running.”
The pair go head-to-head again in Saturday’s Sky Racing Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm and with Esti Feny drawing the rails and Huetor barrier 10, Smith can make a case for his charge giving the favourite a race.
“It had all the breaks. It never went around a horse, got the suck run,” Smith said of Huetor’s Doomben Cup performance.
“We were three-deep facing the breeze and got no favours and he only beat us about three lengths.
“I’d be confident, given as equal a run as the winner, we would be pretty close to him at the finish.”
Huetor is a clear-cut top pick for Saturday’s $1.2 million race at $3.10, ahead of Doomben Cup runner-up Maximal ($6) who has also drawn wide in 14.
Last-start Lord Mayor’s Cup winner Hopeful ($7) is next pick to give Annabel Neasham back-to-back wins in the race after she captured it with Zaaki 12 months ago, while Esti Feny is rated a $41 chance.