Colin Little says El Segundo is more forward than usual for a first-up run as he attempts to do what no horse has done for almost a century - win the Newmarket Handicap when resuming from a spell.The eight-year-old, who has been sparingly raced since winning the 2007 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, is one of three horses who will be going into the $1 million 1200m feature first-up, the others being three-year-olds King Pulse and Trusting.The last horse to win the Newmarket fresh was Polycrat
Colin Little says El Segundo is more forward than usual for a first-up run as he attempts to do what no horse has done for almost a century - win the Newmarket Handicap when resuming from a spell.
The eight-year-old, who has been sparingly raced since winning the 2007 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, is one of three horses who will be going into the $1 million 1200m feature first-up, the others being three-year-olds King Pulse and Trusting.
The last horse to win the Newmarket fresh was Polycrates 93 years in 1917.
Little said El Segundo, who has had a history of leg issues, wasn't anywhere near ready to start a summer campaign in the Group Two Australia Stakes (1200m) in January, a race he won first-up in 2007 and finished fifth in when he resumed from a long layoff in 2009.
The gelding hasn't raced since running on strongly for fourth to So You Think in the Cox Plate 19 weeks ago.
"We decided to wait and because he's been in work longer we've done a bit more with him and the horse is very sound and happy to be there," Little said.
"He's usually had 60 kilograms or more and we've resisted running him in handicaps, but because he hasn't won for such a long time he's come down in the weights.
"He's more forward than he normally is because he normally runs in a race like the Aurie's Star with the idea of being right for a race in a couple of months time.
"But he's got 56.5kg on Saturday which is a bit more entertaining."
El Segundo has raced well without winning in three of four attempts at the Listed Aurie's Star Hcp (1200m) run at Flemington each August.
He finished last in 2005, second under 59.5kg in 2006, third under 62.5kg in 2007 - when the race was run at Moonee Valley - and third under 63.5kg in 2009.
"He's quite competitive down the straight. He seems to love it," Little said.
"I think he'll run his normal good solid race. Whether he can pick them up over the 1200 metres I don't know because it's a tricky race and he gets back and those horses have to find a passage.
"I think he'll get home pretty strongly."
Little said the gelding had come on nicely with solid hit-outs the past two Saturday mornings on the course proper at Caulfield.
"I'm pretty happy with where he's at. He's done enough and I think he won't be far away," he said.
Little said there had been excuses in the past for not taking El Segundo overseas to race.
However he said the July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket, England, was still on the agenda if he could get into the placings on Saturday.
Little has engaged top heavyweight jockey Steven Arnold who won last year's Lightning Stakes- Newmarket double aboard Scenic Blast.
Arnold, who also won the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot aboard Scenic Blast last June, hasn't ridden El Segundo before and connections will be guided by him regarding an overseas trip.
El Segundo, who drew barrier 13 in the 19-horse field, is at $18 with TAB Sportsbet, while the Grahame Begg-trained All Silent, drawn in 17, has eased slightly to $5 but is still favourite ahead of Oakleigh Plate winner Starspangledbanner at $7.50.
The David Hayes-trained pair Nicconi and Eagle Falls are both at $10.