Josh Parr has partnered speedy gelding Malkovich to his only two stakes wins and he is optimistic of a three-peat in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes at Rosehill.
The six-year-old will extend to 1200m for just the third time in 33 starts on Saturday having struggled at his two other attempts over the journey.
However, both were early in his career and trainer Bjorn Baker has suggested the horse might be looking for further now he’s more mature.
Parr is also upbeat, believing Malkovich is ready to produce his best after being freshened following a disappointing performance in the Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in December.
“He seems to be in good order. He’s a very fast horse, as we know, and he likes to find a position where he can control and somewhat dominate the race,” Parr said.
“Perfect track for him, I believe, and I’m confident he’s going well enough to perform really well on Saturday.”
Parr has a handy record on Malkovich having ridden him eight times for two wins, both at black-type level, and three placings.
He put the gelding through his paces in a recent Randwick barrier trial win over stakes-class fillies Mumbai Muse and Blanc De Blanc and was particularly taken with Malkovich’s effort over the final stages.
“It was a deep trial so he wasn’t able to put a significant margin on the opposition, but he reached a really good speed and his final 300 metres of that trial was excellent,” Parr said
“It might not be the strongest Group race we see this coming carnival, but I’m definitely happy to be on a fast horse like him in this particular race.”
With Malkovich’s stablemate Lady Of Luxury a scratching, a field of seven will contest the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) where Lady Laguna, a winner of her past two starts in Queensland, is a clear-cut $2.25 favourite, ahead of Hard To Say ($4.20) and Malkovich ($4.80).
Hard To Say strung together four consecutive wins during the latter half of last year and tackles Saturday’s event second-up after finishing fifth to King Of Sparta in the Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) at the Gold Coast.