To use something distinctly Australian, Mettre En Jeu is the "forgotten" horse of the $700,000 Mercedes Derby.
The early favourite when markets first opened drifted to something like $16 and is now into $8, but still ignored by some sectors.
Unlucky jockey David Walker is not one of
them.
He might have broken a collarbone this week, committing himself to watching the race on television, but Walker rates Mettre En Jeu a much stronger chance than $8.
Some feel Mettre En Jeu has gone backwards since his stunning four-length victory over eventual Great Northern Guineas winner Santagostino in mid-December, but Walker thinks the opposite is the case.
He feels the handsome colt's unlucky third in the Waikato Guineas last start proves it.
Mettre En Jeu went for an inside gap at the 200m that closed just as he presented himself.
"He made up 1 1/2 lengths to get to the gap and would have charged through it if it hadn't closed," said Walker, whose replacement is Lisa Cropp. "It's the first time he's accelerated like that. He's improving all the time, that's what most people don't know."
Mettre En Jeu has not raced for four weeks since that Waikato Guineas, but Walker does not expect that to undermine the colt's chances, nor the 2400m.
"He'll get the distance and some of the others won't."
* When you write a story about how unlucky class sprinter Gee I Jane has been it's just a matter of changing the date. No one can remember the last time things went the way of the Cambridge mare.
Just back from yet another unfortunate Australian race, Gee I Jane yesterday looked ready to finally get some good fortune in tomorrow's $100,00 Darley Plate at Ellerslie.
To try something different trainer Neville Couchman will remove her hood this time.
Gee I Jane finished only seventh behind class act Miss Andretti at Moonee Valley last Saturday week, but was badly carted back through the field by tiring runners.
She will be ridden tomorrow for the first time by Mark Du Plessis and has drawn perfectly at No 5.
