The spring carnival was one to forget for Speediness but his autumn campaign is being approached with greater expectation.
Speediness resumes in the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday a bigger version of the horse that was never quite right during a disappointing three-start spring preparation.
Colin Scott, who has taken up a role as an assistant to Colin Little at Caulfield but still trains a couple of horses in his own name, says it's the happiest he's been with Speediness in 12 months.
"The spring was just a disaster," Scott said.
"He had three runs and went OK but he was never really right and we just put that behind us."
Speediness heads into his first-up assignment more than 30kg heavier than past preparations.
It's something Scott has pondered but has come to the conclusion it's just a sign of the five-year-old gelding finally maturing.
"It's nearly like dealing with a new horse being this big and strong," he said.
"I've gone back through his work a million times over and he's done plenty.
"I just think he's finally matured into the horse I always thought he would be. Hopefully we see that on the track this preparation."
Speediness has won four of his 16 starts but is yet to break through at stakes level.
The son of Testa Rossa's best results in stakes grade have been close seconds in the Group Three Doncaster Prelude last year and the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas the autumn before.
He also finished fourth as favourite in last year's Group Two Blamey Stakes, won by Green Moon, when he ruined his chances by missing the start.
Speediness is a $15 chance in the Thoroughbred Club Cup with sprinters Ready To Rip and Undeniably equal favourites at $4.60.
Scott said Speediness would be at his best when he gets to a mile but expects him to be finishing strongly.
"He might just need the run but if they go quick he'll be there at the finish," he said.
AAP TURF mt/