Alan has been like a mate to the horse since he came into the stable and I think it's time he had a nice trip with him.

He just didn't handle the track at Hobart but I knew after he worked on Monday morning he was at his peak for this race. In fact, I almost broke my rules and backed him.

He has never won beyond 2100m and there are some good Melbourne horses nominated for the Hobart Cup so I think he has enough with 58kg for his first go in the reverse direction.

He's been just a terrific horse to have in the stable. He's had only one problem and that has been a history of getting stone bruises in his front feet. There is no obvious reason for it.