Gary Bowen is confident Medici Vase can figure in the finish of the Rivet Mining Services Handicap (1600m) at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.
And the experienced trainer believes the gelding owes him a win after being responsible for a painful stable accident several weeks ago.
“I was trying to put him on the horse treadmill and he lashed out,” Bowen said.
“He made good contact and sent me airborne across the floor.
“I landed on my shoulder and copped a cut to my knee.
“I was pretty sore and didn’t really think too much of it until it got worse and worse.
“I ended up damaging my shoulder pretty badly and tore the tendon off the bone.
“It was pretty painful and I reckon he owes me a win.”
Bowen says Medici Vase will strip fitter and appreciate a rise in distance after racing first-up over 1400m on April 25.
After losing ground at the start, the four-year-old was doing his best work late when a strong fifth to Black Smuggler.
“I think he is going to develop into a handy stayer,” Bowen said.
“His work earlier in the week was very good, but my concern is barrier one.
“I hope he doesn’t get cluttered away because he needs to have momentum and get rolling in his races.
“He had joint problems in the past, but I’m on top of that now.
“I have some confidence he can run a nice race.”
Bowen is taking a cautious approach with recent acquisition War In Paris in Skyracings.TV Provincial Championship Series Heat (1200m).
War In Paris returns to the goldfields after winning two races at Kalgoorlie last season when under the care of Bunbury trainer, Ross Price.
In the second of those victories in September, War In Paris defeated, Rikki Tikki Tavi, a last-start winner who looms as the horse to beat.
Bowen is hoping to get the best out of War In Paris after he ran a poor eighth when racing first-up at Ascot on April 14.
“He got galloped on so he might have excuses for the run,” Bowen said.
“The jury is out on whether he has come back as good as last year.
“I’ve only had him a short time, but his work has been good.
“I’m hopeful he can improve out of sight.”
War In Paris has drawn barrier five and will be ridden by Fiona Bell.
Julio Santarelli