It's been more than 850 days since top South Australian galloper Dalasan has tasted victory.
And it would be fitting if he could regain winning form for his Hall of Fame trainer Leon Macdonald in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.
Co-trainer Andrew Gluyas said the horse had improved sharply following a recent jump-out, the tricky wide barrier a concern going into the 1400m first-up from a break.
“We were a little bit disappointed (with his jump out), but his work Tuesday was excellent,’’ Gluyas said.
“(The outside gate) doesn’t help, it might be a little tricky,’’ he said.
Dalasan has competed at Group 1 level at 17 of his 21 starts since his last win in the 2020 Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville.
He ran a $2.60 favourite at his return home from another honest Sydney campaign, where he ran fifth in a Doncaster and fourth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, in the R A Lee Stakes at Morphettville in May when beaten into sixth place behind Belle Plaisir.
“He had some really good runs all the way through that campaign on some really heavy tracks, perhaps that took it’s toll going to the R A Lee,’’ Gluyas said.
“His racing has been exciting, it’s been disappointing because he hasn’t won but it’s been rewarding, he’s given everyone a great ride through his career,’’ he said.
“We gave him a good break after his R A Lee performance, normally we’d give that 1200m run but we’ve decided the 1400m probably suited,’’ Gluyas said.
The stable also saddles up his half-brother Ichibansan earlier in the day who has been chasing his sixth win from just 26 starts and comes off a last-start Morphettville win.
