Gailo Chop (Image: Racing Photos)
Trainer Matthew Williams has declared Gailo Chop's work leading into Saturday's meeting at The Valley as the sharpest he's seen from the three-time Group 1 winner.
While the nine-year-old is third emergency for the Cox Plate (2040m), he looks likely to take his place in the G2 Crystal Mile (1600m) and is currently on the second line of betting behind Dreamforce.
For the first time since arriving in Australia, the OTI import will have the blinkers applied and Williams said he impressed when working in them for the first time on Tuesday morning on the course proper at Warrnambool.
"He was very sharp in his work, the best he's been since arriving in my stable," Williams said.
"He feels enormous in his action and is just in the right zone.
"The 1600m might be a bit short for him but I'm expecting to see him in the top three."
Fourth-up this preparation the veteran galloper will jump from barrier eight, with Williams hoping to see him up on speed, just outside the leader.
"We probably got it a little bit wrong in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and should have got him rolling a bit earlier," Williams added.
"He's not really a sit-and-sprint horse and if the pace is on it would be great to see him in the one-one a bit earlier this time."
Gailo Chop has had 32 starts for 13 victories and has won more than $4.2 million in prizemoney, and will next head to the Emirates Stakes (2000m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
"Of course it will probably suit him better back out to 2000m, but all year he's been aimed at the Cox Plate so he's raring to go this weekend," he said.