Racing
Philosopher can rebound at Caulfield
A relaxed Philosopher is expected to relish the small field at Caulfield.
Transforming an out-and-out speedster like Philosopher into a relaxed galloper has been a tough assignment for trainer Enver Jusufovic and his staff.
When Philosopher entered Jusufovic's yard having started his career with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, the son of Zoustar knew just one way.
It was speed, speed, speed and at times Philosopher could not harness that ability to run through the bridle.
It was the tighter turning tracks, like Mornington, Moonee Valley, Cranbourne, where Philosopher was seen at his best.
But as Philosopher has aged, he has learned to relax and settle off the speed, which allowed the gelding to register his biggest win in the Listed W J Adams Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in January.
Philosopher has gone winless in seven starts since that Sandown victory and Jusufovic now believes the sprinter is better off at a course like Sandown or Flemington.
But Jusufovic hopes Philosopher is back in the right frame of mind against six opponents on Saturday when he runs in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1000m).
Philosopher is coming off a last start last at Ballarat on December 6 and Jusufovic is blaming the wet track for the sprinter's downfall.
"There was a couple of downgrades, and he has shown in the past when it's shifty, or loose underfoot, that he is not a confident horse," Jusufovic said.
"He's got a big action, and he just finds it uncomfortable."
Jusufovic said Philosopher's recent work suggests the gelding is going well and can bounce back.
"I've been happy with his work, and he's come back a bit more relaxed this time in, Jusufovic said.
"But I think everything has to go pretty much right on the day for him.
"If there's good tempo and he can be a few lengths off them, rather than being right up on the speed, that will give him the opportunity to finish off.
"There have been excuses in a lot of his starts recently, but you would just like to see him produce it on race day again.
"My preference nowadays with him is a big track like Sandown and Flemington, rather than the tighter Caulfield circuit, in particular the Heath track, but I'm still expecting him to run well."
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