Speedster Eight Bills restored Gary Portelli's confidence in his ability with a dominant victory under a big weight at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago.More importantly, the trainer believes the gelding's self confidence has skyrocketed with the win which earned him a reprieve at the Warwick Farm stable.If he hadn't performed well, Eight Bills was destined to return to Portelli's Melbourne yard and Victorian provincial races.But the form turnaround means he will get his chance against a crack

Speedster Eight Bills restored Gary Portelli's confidence in his ability with a dominant victory under a big weight at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago.

More importantly, the trainer believes the gelding's self confidence has skyrocketed with the win which earned him a reprieve at the Warwick Farm stable.

If he hadn't performed well, Eight Bills was destined to return to Portelli's Melbourne yard and Victorian provincial races.

But the form turnaround means he will get his chance against a crack field in Monday's Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m).

"I think the win may have given him a new lease of life," Portelli said.

"He seems more confident since he won. He had a good gallop last Saturday morning and is like a different horse.

"But the Carrington is going to be a very strong race."

Eight Bills won six of his first seven starts between August 2009 and April the following year.

But he had to wait until last Saturday week to rack up win number seven which came over 1000 metres under 60.5kg.

"I think he relished being ridden quietly," Portelli said.

"If he hadn't won he was going back to Melbourne but he has earned his chance in a race like the Carrington."

Eight Bills has had three attempts at stakes company with his best effort so far a second to Catapulted in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington in May last year.

Glyn Schofield will replace Hugh Bowman on Eight Bills with the latter unable to make the horse's weight of 54kg.

There were eight final acceptances for the Carrington including Missile Stakes winner and topweight Rain Affair and last year's winner Jest Crewsin'.

The Listed Tattersall's Club Cup (2000m) attracted a field of 10 with three from the Chris Waller stable - Alexander Of Hales, Altered Boy and Wazn - along with up-and-coming stayer Straight Albert from the Guy Walter yard.