Albany gallopers Jetson Express and King Cubator renew their acquaintances and lock horns again in the Hannan Street Kalgoorlie Handicap (1700m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
The Great Southern combatants met on their home track two weeks ago with the Gerry Hughes-trained Jetson Express holding out Steve Wolfe’s King Cubator by a half-length.
For their rematch Jetson Express gives his rival 3kg and jumps from the second widest gate, King Cubator has drawn an inside ally for apprentice Natasha Faithfull.
Jetson Express should hold the confidence of punters with two wins from his previous three and a second placing to Nanna King at Pinjarra.
Their faith in King Cubator will be to the test with the five-year-old gelding attempting to break a 651 day losing drought.
“You can’t believe a horse like him who is capable of winning a Saturday race hasn’t won in two years,” said Wolfe.
“I don’t think Natasha has ridden him this preparation so I’m trying something different.
“Ed (Creighton), Shaun (McGruddy) and Hally (Peter) have been on him and he still hasn’t managed to win a race.
“But surely he must be getting close to his day.”
Splitting Jetson Express and King Cubator could be Wotchinyu and Fleming Son who are capable of producing better than what have shown recently.
Wolfe has entrusted Faithful to take the mount on Korolenko who returns to tackle the Vale John Wilson Handicap (1200m).
The Balmont gelding is up against same handy types including the inform Studio Fifty Four and might find the journey too short.
But Wolfe is confident Korolenko can perform first-up after a top warm up trial opposed to his more high profile stable mates.
“He is going really well and on his trial you would think he would be unbeatable,” said Wolfe.
“He got beat a half-head by Tiger Pete and Kalahaar.
“It might be a yard short for him but he is going to be very hard to toss and will be right in it from a good barrier.”
Wolfe believes Sooky LaLa is just ahead of Shakespeares Sister in the Burt Street Boulder Handicap (1700m).