Trainer Michael Trotter is hoping familiar surroundings and a strong second-up record will spark a form reversal from Apache Song in Saturday’s Drummond Golf Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

The five-year-old mare has won three times and placed once from six starts at The Valley.

More notably, she boasts two wins and a second from four second-up attempts.

Apache Song drops back to benchmark 84 grade after finishing last first-up in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Luke Cartwright takes over from Blake Shinn, bringing a 3kg claim to reduce her weight.

Trotter said Shinn wasn’t concerned by the run, noting the mare raced too keenly early and was exposed throughout.

“On face value, it probably looked a bit disappointing, but Blake wasn’t disappointed,” Trotter said.

“She’s been beaten around the same distance each first-up run, but then she always improves.”

Trotter expects a competitive showing and will reassess her next move based on Saturday’s result.