Sunshine Coast trainer Tom Button is hoping that his two-year-old Jemeldi can continue on his winning ways in Saturday's 2YO Handicap (1110m) at Doomben.
The gelded son of Winning Rupert was an impressive winner on debut on his home track, sustaining a three-wide trip throughout to win by a length over 1000m on January 16.
Jemeldi was purchased for $50,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and Button is confident that connections will recoup that outlay in the near future.
The horse was originally nominated for a similar two-year-old race last Saturday at the Sunshine Coast, but the race didn't eventuate due to there being only four horses nominated.
Following the scratching of Bessmati, who will instead run at Randwick, Jemeldi will be jumping from barrier nine on Saturday.
“(The barrier) is a bit tricky, because he's got enough speed to go forward, but he doesn't have terrific speed to be able to cross them,” Button told HorseBetting.
“He's going to need a good ride, but I think he'll race well, he just needs a bit of luck from that alley.”
The gelding attracted good market support in his debut, firming from $12 into as little as $8.50 before getting out again late, but his trainer expects a prominent showing after a solid jumpout leading up to that race.
Jemeldi will now rise to 1110m on Saturday, which Button believes will suit him perfectly.
“He jumped out quite solidly, and we just aimed up into a race knowing that he had ability,” he said.
“Obviously there were a couple of other smart horses in it, but he went good – it was a good win.
“I don't think that (the rise to 1110m) will be a drama at all. He was pretty strong on the line actually.”
While Button is yet to decide if he will give Jemeldi another run this preparation, he is confident that the horse will have a nice future in racing.
“It's obviously his first prep, so I don't want to punch him too much,” Button said.
“We'll get through this start and see how he is, and then he might have another one after if he pulls up good.
“He's a nice horse with good potential.”
Online bookmakers have Jemeldi (+450) perched on the third line of betting for Saturday's opener at Doomben, just behind Russian Racketeer (+380) and Spiritualised (+400).
Button will also saddle up four-year-old mare Miss Lot Won in what will be her first run since July.
Set to line up in a Fillies & Mares No Metro Wins Handicap over 1110m, the $260,000 earner is likely to need the run after recovering from an operation caused by a fall back in March.
The trainer said he has always had a high opinion of the mare, so he hopes to see her back to her best.
Miss Lot Won will be aimed towards the Capricornia Yearling Sales 3&4YO Classic on April 9 at Rockhampton.
The daughter of Sidereus won the Capricornia Yearling Sales 2YO Classic as a two-year-old in 2020, before returning the following year and running fourth.