Phearson has endured a rough run with barrier draws this campaign, but trainer Brad Widdup believes the gelding is in top shape heading into Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill.
The seven-year-old has finished unplaced in both starts this prep after being forced back from tricky gates, and once again jumps from barrier 10.
Despite that, Widdup was encouraged by his closing sixth in a leader-dominated Winter Stakes (1400m) and says the horse is thriving at home.
“He has been a very frustrating horse all his career but at the moment he’s flying,” Widdup said.
“He just needs a bit of luck. He keeps drawing bad gates.”
A reformed front-runner, Phearson has learned to settle, though Widdup says poor draws have made him more of a backmarker than intended.
Tom Sherry retains the ride, while Chad Schofield takes the reins on Bella Khadija in the Stuart Macdermid Handicap.
Art’s Alive also returns in the MyPlates Handicap after a promising third to Hi Dubai.