Sir Donald finishing second to Milwaukee last start (Image: Racing Photos)
Greg Eurell is hoping third time is the charm with his former Queensland-based galloper Sir Donald when he lines up at Moonee Valley this Saturday in the All Victorian Spring Series Heat over 1200m.
The four-year-old gelding by I Am Invincible was the winner of five races in Queensland for trainer Michael Nolan before making a big impact at just his second Victorian start when a $101 runner-up at Flemington.
"He started his career up there in Queensland, was quite talented up there and just lost a bit of form," Eurell explained from his Cranbourne stable on Tuesday morning.
"The owner that has him decided that a change might be the way to go with him so he sent him down here to us and we had a play around with him.
"It took a little bit of time to sort of get to know him and sort out a few little things with him but bit by bit he has kept improving and we have been really happy with him."
WATCH: Sir Donald's last start
Since joining the Eurell yard Sir Donald finished unplaced fresh-up on an unsuitable surface before his eye-catching run at Flemington on Anzac Day, finishing second behind Milwaukee.
"His first-up run at Seymour on a wet track that day certainly didn't suit him but his second-up run at Flemington I thought was really, really good, so he seems like he is heading in the right direction so hopefully, as I say, Saturday if it's dry he will be there.
"The gap between runs I don't think will worry him, I think he is a horse that probably appreciates that so it may work out to his favour."
Win, lose or draw the galloper will head to the paddock after this Saturday's run, with the thought that he will only get better in his second Victorian preparation.
"I really like the horse in the sense that he has just kept improving," he said.
"I think he is a horse with quite a lot of ability, I think the direction he is going at the moment I believe he is very genuine and can only improve.
"After this start on Saturday we would probably like to give him a let-up.
"I think with a break under his belt, come back with the drier tracks later on heading towards the summer, he is going to be a handy horse in Melbourne."