Promising sprinter Cadogan will be ridden by a senior rider for the first time this campaign when he runs at Eagle Farm.
Apprentice Jackson Murphy has ridden Cadogan in his four runs back from a spell but senior jockey Robbie Fradd has the mount in Saturday’s Juiced TV Open (1400m).
Cadogan is on the comeback trail after suffering a virus during a trip to Scone where he ran last in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes in early May.
He was considered one of the better Queensland hopes in the winter carnival but co-trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds had no choice but to spell him.
“He was one very sick horse with a high temperature and we had to bring him along slowly once he had recovered,” Toby Edmonds said.
Cadogan was well beaten first-up in August but his three runs since have been encouraging.
“He finished very strongly from well back when second to Deep Image at Eagle Farm two runs back,” Edmonds said.
“Then he might have been only fifth at Doomben last time but it was a very good run.
“In the straight he got pushed back to near last and the race was as good as over by the time he got going again.
“In the end he was only beaten a bit over two lengths and they ran a slick final 600 metres.”
Edmonds believes the step back up to 1400m on Saturday is also a bonus for Cadogan.
“He has won five times at the trip and one of his best career runs was at 1400 at Eagle Farm when he beat Chapter and Verse and Looks Like Elvis,” Edmonds said.
“That pair have since made the form look really good for a race like Saturday.”
Edmonds said he was not critical of Murphy who is his stable apprentice.
“Jackson hasn’t had much luck on Cadogan and maybe the switch to Robbie can swing things around,” he said.
“A change of rider sometimes brings a change of luck.”
Edmonds hopes Cadogan can regain top form so the gelding can again be set for the Magic Millions carnival in January.
“You don’t like making excuses for horses but he really didn’t have much luck in the Magic Millions Cup last time,” Edmonds added.
“It is the type of race he can chase again.”
Edmonds is also happy with the progress of Winter Bride who is being set for the Group One Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 25.
Winter Bride was well beaten in the Moir Stakes at her last start but Edmonds said the run should be ignored.
“She got knocked out of the race early but her sectionals after that were very good,” he said.
“I am more than happy with the way she is going.”