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The likelihood of a decent tempo and addition of the blinkers has trainer Peter Blanch confident that Validated will be fighting out the finish in Saturday’s $120,000 Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.

Validated comes off a fast finishing fourth behind Not An Option in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Caulfield over 1400m on New Year's Day.

"He tried really hard, ran good sectionals and they were around about a half second outside a 30-year-old track record,'' Peter Blanch said.

"Things didn't quite go to plan, he had to come out rather than get a run through as there looked to be nothing happening down low,'' he said.

Again on Saturday the pace of the race will be key to Validated's chances given his get back and run on racing pattern.

"There looks to be a little bit of speed there,'' Blanch said.

"We've put the blinkers on him, we always wanted to do that and get the opportunity now going back in trip.

"His work is sharper, he's always had a good turn of foot but he's been travelling a tiny bit stronger.

"At his last couple of runs he's been off the bit a long way from home, so it will be interesting to see what that does for him and if it takes him to another level,'' he said.

Richard and Chantelle R & C Jolly have the race favourite Aitch Two Oh resuming from a good barrier (two) while former Magic Millions winning stablemate Shaquero will have his second South Australian start drawn on her inside.

Aitch Two Oh looks one of the leaders in the race alongside former Group 1 Goodwood winner Savatoxl who is back from a West Australian campaign.

He led when he finished last of 16 behind Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in early December before he was again up on speed before he tired when beaten 5.4 lengths behind Munhamek in the Group 3 Gold Rush last time out.