Trainer looks for improved Passage after last race shocker

Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson warned to completely forget the latest run of Drake Passage and take him on his previous performances when he heads to Murwillumbah.

The son Of Jakkalberry tracked the speed but dropped out in the straight to beat just one home in finishing 15 lengths behind Kureder in a Benchmark 78 over 2400m at Eagle Farm on December 9.

Wilson identified a couple of problems with the gelding after that race which explained his performance and he feels he can bounce back to his previous form when he steps out in the Benchmark 68 over 2020m.

“I initially thought he didn’t run out the 2400m but he pulled up with heat stress and the thumps so that explains why he stopped so quickly from a soft run,” Wilson said.

“We backed off him after that and let him recover which has put a bit of freshness back in his legs. His previous couple of runs were good.

“He finds himself in a winnable race here. It’s not a strong race for a Benchmark 66.

“I’m just hoping the track doesn’t get much worse than a (Soft) 6. He wants a bit of give in the track but he doesn’t handle it too wet.

“Put a line through his last start and if he runs up to his previous effort, he looks a genuine chance.”

Award Me was an unlucky fourth when resuming on her home track earlier this month and is one of the leading chances in an open Class 1 Handicap over 1200m.

“She was boxed up and didn’t get a split until it was too late. She probably should have run a clear second if she could have got out a touch earlier,” said Wilson.

“She loves the 1200m which she gets here second-up, she is a mare that likes to be kept fresh, she has drawn nicely barrier 1 and gets 2.5-3kg from the topweights so she gets in well.

“It’s an open race with four or five chances and she is definitely one.”

Wilson’s final runner is Italian Award who is ready to peak third-up in the Maiden Handicap over 1550m after two third placings at the Gold Coast.

“He’s come back really well but just hasn’t had a lot of luck,” he said.

“He looks to have found the right race here where he should be very hard to beat.”