Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon has put Salute To Jude’s first Queensland outing down to experience and is confident he can bounce back in the Magic Millions Guineas.
Salute To Jude earned his ticket to Saturday’s $1 million race at the Gold Coast with a comprehensive win over 1200m at Flemington last month.
He had an unorthodox lead-up over 900 metres in the Bat Out Of Hell Quality at the Gold Coast last Saturday, finishing 10th of the 13 runners.
“He missed the start and everything that could go wrong did go wrong,” Smerdon said.
“I’m not too worried about it.”
What does concern the trainer is Salute To Jude’s wide barrier in the 1400m feature. He drew 19 but will come into 15 if the emergencies fail to get a start.
“It’s going to make it very hard for him,” Smerdon said.
“He will be competitive if he can get the right run, but the barrier is the big deal.”
Once the gates open, the problem will belong to Damien Oliver who is the form jockey of the moment.
“Damien is going to have to weave some magic when he comes out of the barrier,” Smerdon said.
The barrier draw had no effect on Salute To Jude’s price. The gelding remains at $10 with the TAB.