Joe Pride is hopeful his patience will be rewarded when The Black Cloud lines up at Randwick this Saturday.

The mare was scratched from last week’s Schweppes Sprint (1100m) after drawing wide but has fared better this time with barrier four in the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m).

After two runner-up finishes this campaign, Pride believes she’s due for a breakthrough.

“She has been going well without winning and that has been a bit frustrating,” he said.

“I want to make the next one count for her so I thought this race should be softer.”

The Black Cloud has won four of her 11 starts, but not since June last year.

She’s come close in both recent outings, including a narrow defeat to Sixteen Rounds at Caulfield.

Pride admits she hasn’t quite lived up to early expectations but maintains she’s still competitive.

Pride also saddles up Storm The Ramparts, who returns after a narrow second to Romeo’s Choice in last weekend’s Schweppes Sprint.