He once had a motor like a Rolls Royce but it's not purring any more.Those were the words from veteran jockey Shane Scriven after he rode Scenic Blast in a track gallop ahead of the sprinter's winter carnival campaign several weeks ago.Scriven's assessment of the 2009 Horse Of The Year has now changed on the eve of the seven-year-old's assignment in the Group One Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.The Dan Morton-trained Scenic Blast was trounced by seven lengths when runner-up to Buffering in a 1200m we

He once had a motor like a Rolls Royce but it's not purring any more.

Those were the words from veteran jockey Shane Scriven after he rode Scenic Blast in a track gallop ahead of the sprinter's winter carnival campaign several weeks ago.

Scriven's assessment of the 2009 Horse Of The Year has now changed on the eve of the seven-year-old's assignment in the Group One Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.

The Dan Morton-trained Scenic Blast was trounced by seven lengths when runner-up to Buffering in a 1200m weight-for-age race at Eagle Farm on May 2 before an eye-catching second to Sea Siren in the Group One BTC Cup at Doomben 10 days later.

A three-times winner at Group One level, Scenic Blast has been winless since taking out the Group One King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009.

"He's still not the horse he was but he's 100 per cent fit now compared to when I first rode him in a gallop," Scriven said.

"It's scary to think how much he has improved.

"He's flying and it'll be another fantastic feat if he can win."

Scriven rode Scenic Blast in a track gallop during the week and described it as "winning work".

Scenic Blast has barrier 16, but it may not be such a disadvantage if predicted rain forces a downgrade from the track's good rating.

"There's a lot of speed in the race which suits him and if he can get a nice run there'll be no excuses and I'm sure he can fight out the finish," Scriven said.

Scenic Blast's career derailed overseas with niggling injuries, bleeding and a throat issue thwarting campaigns in Japan, Hong Kong and the United States.

He raced five times in the US adding a Group One placing to his international record when second in the Bing Crosby at Del Mar in August 2010.

On his return to Australia, Scenic Blast's wind problem returned resulting in two failures behind Black Caviar in the Group Two Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley and Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington last spring.

"He had a soft palate issue in Melbourne and had an operation to rectify it," said Morton's father Len, who is looking after Scenic Blast in Brisbane.

"We were left wondering if the operation was successful and didn't know until we got here with him.

"When he got beaten by Buffering he hit the wall about 100 metres out and we were concerned it was either his condition or the operation was unsuccessful but then he came out and ran well in the BTC Cup."