3 minute read

He doesn’t win out of turn, but On The Lead might have found the right race at Rosehill.

Tim Clark believes a distance drop will be a significant factor for On The Lead as the multiple stakes placegetter looks to get back into the winner's circle at Rosehill. 

The four-year-old had been a model of consistency over short-course sprints before stepping up to 1300 metres at Newcastle last start and struggling to make an impact. 

He returns to 1100 metres for Saturday's Guildford Leagues Handicap and Clark thinks the drop back in journey will be telling. 

"He has won two 1000 metre races and an 1100 metre race, so back in trip is the big key," Clark said. 

"He is a winner at the track and distance two starts ago in good fashion and if he can repeat something like that, from a good draw he is going to do no work and he will be really strong late." 

Clark's only other ride aboard On The Lead was when he failed to handle a heavy Rosehill surface earlier this year. 

He figures the track may have again been a factor when the horse settled worse than midfield and failed to run on last start, but not because it was too wet. 

"It was a funny track that day at Newcastle," Clark said. 

"A lot of horses back in the field couldn't get into those races. It was that day that was really windy and the track was quick, it definitely favoured horses up on speed. 

"His four runs prior to that were all really good. He just has to bounce back to that form and he will be right in the mix." 

Trained by Michael and Richard Freedman, On The Lead has been competitive in much tougher company than Saturday's assignment, finishing runner-up to Wild Ruler in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes as a three-year-old and twice placing in Listed grade. 

He was a $7.50 chance with TAB fixed odds on Friday.