Exasperate (Image: Racing Photos)
Matthew Brown is dreaming of a Cox Plate start with his maturing gelding Exasperate, who will chase a golden ticket into next month's $5 million weight-for-age championship when he tackles Saturday's Feehan Stakes at The Valley.
While Brown admits it's ambitious placement, he believes the six-year-old is in the best shape of his career and wants to give the gelding his chance to win a Stakes race.
The son of Tough Speed continues to improve with each racing preparation.
Last spring, Exasperate finished third in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes as the $51 outsider and during the summer and autumn, he won a string of Saturday races, including the lucrative Grand Handicap at Caulfield.
"Half the reason why we thought we'd have a throw at the stumps is that every time I've raised the bar, he's gone out and produced," Brown said.
"I think he's come back better than he was last preparation, which is always a bit of a worry when they're in such good form, whether they come back up or improve.
"From the way he ran first-up and what we've seen from him at home, we're pretty confident that he's going even better than he was last time.
"We were happy with his work going into the Caulfield run but everything since has been a lot better, a lot sharper and you can certainly tell that he's had a run because he's tightened up."
WATCH: Exasperate run third at Caulfield in August
Brown nominated Exasperate for the Cox Plate in the knowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic could have an effect on the depth of the race, particularly if international participation was compromised.
The Feehan - a race that offers ballot exemption into the Cox Plate for the winner - was always on the radar, although he had planned to head to The Valley third-up.
"With everything that has gone on this year, there were a lot of unknowns about what horses were going to be going to the Cox Plate so we thought we'd throw a nomination in," he said.
"The original plan was to run him last week and, if he ran really well, back him up this week but when he drew barrier one last week, which isn't the ideal barrier for him, I thought we'll just scratch and save him and have a crack at this race.
"If anything, it's much of a muchness as last week's race as far as strength goes."
Exasperate is rated a $35 chance in Sportsbet's Feehan Stakes market, which is headed by Surprise Baby ($3.20), Harbour Views ($4.20) and Sircconi ($4.60).