Trainer Gavin Bedggood knows the odds are stacked against him as he tries to replicate the form of No Effort from 12 months ago.
For one she is racing in tougher company courtesy of her first stakes win in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield in August.
After three runs back, two which can be forgiven, Bedggood said he has No Effort ready to run well on Saturday in the Neds Punters Toolbox Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield.
No Effort struck a purple patch of form last winter, scoring twice at Caulfield and once at Sandown while Bedggood even started her in a Group 1 race, finishing under eight lengths behind Probabeel and Nonconformist in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
On paper No Effort’s form this campaign looks poor, finishing seventh first-up at Bendigo on April 2 followed by a six-length sixth at Caulfield on April 23 and then a last start 13th at Caulfield on May 7.
“She’s had legitimate excuses in her last two starts where she’s failed,” Bedggood said.
“Two starts back she pulled-up with a grade three mucus on scope which excused her poor performance, then the other day she went to anticipate the start and burst her barrier open.
“Then as the barriers opened, she gave herself a fright, she’s gone back, turned sideways and the field jumped as she’s done that and missed the start three lengths.
“She got out the back, against her racing pattern, and that gave her no chance.”
Bedggood cannot fault No Effort’s work since, although he would like a bit more rain to soften the Caulfield track, currently rated a Soft 5.
“She’s ready to go to the races and run out of her skin, but it’s no walk in the park this race,” he said.
“The level she started at last campaign, she was eligible for benchmark 78 grade and worked her way through the grades, but this is what she has to run against these days.
“I’m not saying she’s a moral, but I’d be disappointed if she wasn’t amongst the action at the finish.”