Trainer Nigel Blackiston is confident Suavito will be on her best barrier behaviour at Caulfield on Wednesday wearing her usual winkers instead of blinkers.
Suavito failed to come out of the gates at the start of the Blazer Stakes at Flemington on October 4, but a jump-out last Friday has put her trainer’s mind at rest.
The mare had to pass a trial before being allowed to line up in the Nine West Ladies Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield.
Blackiston said Suavito would race in winkers on Wednesday instead of the blinkers which proved disastrous when she failed to jump at Flemington.
“The blinkers came straight off and we put the winkers back on,” Blackiston said.
“The blinkers had an adverse effect on her.
“I thought they would make her concentrate but I think she panicked when she was in the barriers.
“She’s not very big and I don’t think she could see over the top of them and instead of going forward she sat backwards and didn’t come out.”
Blackiston said Suavito had never previously shown any of those tendencies, saying the mare was one of the most “honest fillies that I’ve ever had anything to do with”.
Damien Oliver rode Suavito in the jump-out at Flemington and has the mount on Wednesday.
“Damien jumped her out and gave her a nice, quiet trial in behind the others,” Blackiston said.
“I was happy with what she did.”
The winner of three of her 12 starts, Suavito has drawn barrier five in the 18-horse field which includes two emergencies.