Devil Dodger's improvement curve could take him close to his first win of the season in the $25,000 Pak'nSave Stakes at Alexandra Park tonight.
Last season's Australasian Breeders Crown winner has had a quieter start to this campaign but driver Brent Mangos says the 4-year-old gets his chance in a hot field tonight.
"He was quite big when he started racing and it has taken him a while to get back to his best but I think he is closer," said Mangos.
"His runs in the Mile and the Messenger were good and the standing start this week isn't a problem so I think he will go well."
Devil Dodger and several of the other favourites face handicaps of 20m or worse tonight but they may not be as bad as they look, with only one runner off the front.
Luck will still play a huge factor in the race, especially for backmarkers Gomeo Romeo and Mach Banner.
They were both outstanding in the Taylor Mile and Messenger and whichever of the pair settles in front of the other may prove the horse to beat tonight.
Sir Lincoln was also good winning in weaker company last Friday so his transition to a 2700m standing start will be interesting.
Later in the night, Let's Get Serious gets his best chance for a win at Alexandra Park, a track he is not entirely comfortable on, when he meets a mixed field in the trotting feature.
Devil Dodger too artful?
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