Thermal Current (Image: Racing Photos)
Thermal Current is weighted to win his first race for trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra at The Valley on Saturday.
The nine-year-old gelding is one of seven acceptors for Saturday's $125,000 Murray Nangatta Handicap (1000m) at The Valley and is assessed by BetEasy as a $6.50 fifth favourite, with Wagner ($3.10) at the top of markets.
By virtue of Jungle Edge's reappearance from a three-month enforced bleeding ban and the 1.5kg claim of inexperienced Japanese jockey Akatsuki Tomita, Thermal Current carries 55.5kg this weekend, which is the lightest weight the son of Exceed And Excel has ever carried in a non-Stakes-graded handicap race.
And Thermal Current has been competitive despite his recent winless run. Since joining Ellerton and Zahra from Darren Weir in February he has raced seven times for five top-four finishes in Stakes company.
"He looks fit now and we can't fault him," Zahra said.
"His work is good and his legs look fantastic for a nine-year-old. He's so honest so we'll keep sending him around until he puts his hand up to say I'm done."
Only the winner Soothing had a quicker final 200 metres when Thermal Current attempted to defend his title in running fourth in the Listed Century Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Oaks Day (November 7), before he finished third in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Sandown Hillside nine days later.
"His run at Sandown Hillside last start was huge," Zahra said.
'He doesn't do himself a lot of favours being an older horse and giving everything head starts coming from the back.
"When the top liners drop off, that's when horses like him get their turn again."
Zahra suggested Thermal Current could be freshened for the $160,000 G3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year's Day after this weekend.
WATCH: Thermal Current in the Doveton Stakes