Welsh helping Plate favourite

<div class="raw-html-embed">Renowned horse educator Julien Welsh is optimistic his barrier work in recent weeks with Cox Plate favourite Prognosis can make a difference to the horse's winning chances in Saturday's $5 million race.
Welsh was recommended to connections by jockey Damian Lane to assist with the horse's tendency to step slowly from the barriers and has made several trips to Werribee since the Japanese galloper's arrival.
"He is just a little bit slow away and gets a little wound up in the gates, which is probably adding to not jumping as cleanly as he should," Welsh explained.
"He takes two or three strides to get into his rhythm and then he gets going, but it's probably been a detriment to him.
"He doesn't get up in the air or crash about, but he gets a little bit impatient.
"We've really focused on getting him to stand still in the gates - that's been the key."
Welsh said the seven-year-old had no issues behind or being loaded into the gates but would often lean against the back of the stalls and as a result has been slow to step away.
Lane and connections will be hopeful not to concede a noticeable margin from gate five, with a short run to the first turn.
"I jumped him out on Monday and that was his best, he came out straight and reasonably quick," he said.
"There's been a huge improvement in the way he's jumped out since we've been down there.
"He stargazes and his last few starts he has jumped out and gone to the right, but the last two times we've jumped him out, he's jumped straight.
"If he can stay straight and keep that nose up in front of that gates, I think you'll find he will jump with them."
Welsh admitted The Valley atmosphere and Cox Plate start will put Prognosis to the test.
"He has been really good with all the work we've done with him but obviously race day is a different ball game," he said.
"It will be very interesting because the crowd is right there at the gates."
Welsh won't be on-course at The Valley on Saturday, but will be watching on intently from Yarra Valley with his own team of horses.</div>

Renowned horse educator is optimistic about Prognosis; barrier manners

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