Racing: Gear changed in bid to revisit winners' circle

Two key gear changes have Cut The Cake's camp confident he can win his first race since the 2003 New Zealand Derby at Avondale today.

Matamata co-trainer Paul Moroney has removed the nose-band and added a tongue tie, which should be enough to turn around Cut The Cake's costly flop last time out at Trentham on April 30.

"He cruised up to them at Wellington as though it was just a question of how far he was going to win by," said Moroney.

"He went five metres then chucked it in - the jockey thought he might have choked so we're hoping the gear makes the difference.

"We'll be scratching our heads if he doesn't put his hand up in a field like this."

A midweek progressive $7500 is never part of the script after victory in the country's premiere 3-year-old race.

But Moroney, who also part-owns the two-win gelding, just wants to see his Yamanin Vital star return to winning form today.

Cut The Cake had little luck in a short Brisbane campaign last year, running fifths in the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cups, before getting slammed into the running a lap out in the Queensland Derby.

The natural-born stayer never fired in a Melbourne spring campaign but tests on return to Ballymore Stables revealed tightness in his hindquarters.

"We had that manipulated and we can't fault him now," said Moroney.

"He's stronger and freer in his action. He's working right up to his best at the moment."

Moroney said the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie on June 6 was a possible next-up assignment if Cut The Cake won well today, although a spell was a more likely follow-up.

While stablemate Daktari kicks off his winter campaign in the same race today, Moroney said the promising hurdler can push Cut The Cake.

"He's working better than a jumper - he could give his stablemate a bit of a fright."

Moroney rates Brampton Legs an even stronger stable hope in the highweight today with a rejuvenated Jim Collett aboard.

It's the Zabeel mare's first run for a month - and her last in this campaign - but Moroney was confident her class would tell.

"She's close to being our best hope of the day - she's a cups mare next season, there's no doubt about that."

Tea In The Sahara is the best of the other Ballymore runners.

The 4-year-old was close-up behind Haylee Baylee in a much stronger field than she meets today.

Moroney said all stable runners should handle Avondale's rain-affected track.