Jockey Ben Melham gave trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr a glowing report on What You Need after his final gallop ahead on The Goodwood in Adelaide.

Unfortunately for Melham, who has been sidelined through injury, the ride in Saturday’s Group 1 sprint over 1200m at Morphettville falls outside his weight range and Craig Williams will have the mount.

Melham rode What You Need to victory in his first three starts before the entire required ‘tie-back surgery’ to correct a breathing issue.

Williams has been aboard in the two runs since returning, finishing third on both occasions.

“His gallop on Tuesday morning, Ben Melham rode him, who can’t ride the weight on Saturday but knows the horse better than anyone, said it was the best gallop of the preparation,” Kent Jnr said.

“He said he’s going super. He’s going as well as we can have him, and he’s just got to be good enough on the day.”

Kent Jnr expects the 1200m on Saturday to suit What You Need better than the 1000m he contested first-up at Flemington and the 1100m when third behind Extremely Lucky in the John Hawkes Stakes at Morphettville two weeks ago.

“A fast 1100 metres last start just caught him off the bridle a long way from home,” Kent Jnr said.

“He kept finding and I was very proud of the horse.

“We’ve spoken enough about the problems we’ve had with him, but he could not look any better.

“He’s a serious talent and hopefully he can win a Group 1.

“Craig has ridden him twice. He’s said his action is great, his wind is super and his Tuesday gallop was brilliant running good time, and he hardly had a blow.

“It’s a step up in grade and the toughest race he’s faced in his career. He’s going to have to lift to win it, but he’s there.

“We’re hopeful, not confident.”