Rejuvenated galloper Smokin' Joey will be out for a career best win when he tries to complete a hat-trick in Saturday's Group Three Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.The Encosta de Lago four-year-old has drawn barrier five in the 1400m feature and will be ridden for the first time by Vlad Duric."I would actually have preferred a bigger number. I like him out wide but he becomes the jockey's ride now so it's up to him," trainer Anthony Freedman said."If he gets the sort of run he needs in a race he

Rejuvenated galloper Smokin' Joey will be out for a career best win when he tries to complete a hat-trick in Saturday's Group Three Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.

The Encosta de Lago four-year-old has drawn barrier five in the 1400m feature and will be ridden for the first time by Vlad Duric.

"I would actually have preferred a bigger number. I like him out wide but he becomes the jockey's ride now so it's up to him," trainer Anthony Freedman said.

"If he gets the sort of run he needs in a race he can be right there.

"I think he's still in good shape.

"The 1400 metres is about his best distance and I would have thought he's in his right race."

Smokin' Joey made an auspicious start to his career when he won the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield as a two-year-old in May 2010.

However he became maligned by punters as a non-winner when he wasn't able to score again until 16 runs later in a rating 0-78 Hcp (1400m) at a midweek Sandown meeting in February.

The bay, who had been gelded after running fourth to Torio's Quest in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm last June, broke through again at the fourth start of this campaign.

He went on with the job to win the Listed Super Saturday Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 10, beating subsequent impressive Caulfield winner Pago Rock by a long head.

"He's had his issues and I'm not shying away from the fact that he lost his way for the best part of two years but there have been excuses," Freedman said.

"He's physically very well. He's a happy horse and hopefully now that he's got a couple of wins under his belt he can go on with it.

"I'm very happy for his owner that the horse has found form. He's been very patient and he's been great to train for.

"I'd like to keep him winning. I think we've gone too high with him in the past."

Smokin' Joey has run in four Group One races with his best finish sixth to Anacheeva in the 2010 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

He was tried as a stayer in the Victoria Derby (2500m) the same spring but finished well down the track in 14th place behind Lion Tamer.

At Group Two level, Smokin' Joey has been competitive finishing fourth three times and fifth once from five tries.