Trainer-driver Dylan Egerton-Green is hoping a favourable barrier draw for Captain Stirling can deliver him a second success in the APG 3YO Colts And Geldings Sales Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.
The colt has drawn perfectly in barrier one for the $100,000 event, as he looks to record the biggest win of his career to date.
Captain Stirling made an encouraging return to racing at Gloucester Park last week, where he finished third to Soho Shakedown.
Egerton-Green, who won the Sales Classic in 2019 with Patrickthepiranha, said he hoped Captain Stirling could do enough to lead the event.
"I'd like him to be in front," Egerton-Green told TABradio.
"There'll definitely be something that has a crack out of the gates because it's a $100,000 race.
"We'll have the screws tightened and have him roaring out of the gate and hopefully make every post a winner."
Captain Stirling made an encouraging start to his career as a two-year-old, scoring two wins and six placings from nine starts.
Egerton-Green said he hoped tomorrow night was the start of consistent performances from the son of Captain Crunch in feature three-year-old races.
"He's definitely improved off his spell," he said.
"I can see this prep being better than his last."
Despite the draw advantage, Captain Stirling is on the second line of betting with TABtouch at $2.90, with Belly Up a $2.15 favourite.
Egerton-Green also has Lazarus Star ($41) and Captain Paprika ($151) engaged in the event.
Egerton-Green will be hoping Livy Ann can bounce back to her best in the APG 2YO Fillies Sales Classic (1730m), following a shock defeat in her heat.
Despite Livy Ann being beaten as a $1.26 favourite in the heat, Egerton-Green said there were some promising signs going into the final.
"She was well below par in her heat," he said.
"We found a few things wrong with her and have changed a few things up.
"Fingers crossed we have her back to her best.
"Her work has indicated that."
The Ryan Bell-trained Ma Petite Dame is the $1.45 TABtouch favourite for the $125,000 event, following a meritorious performance in her heat.
Ma Petite Dame has drawn barrier four for the feature, with Livy Ann in barrier five.
Bell said he was confident his filly had the right temperament to win the event.
"She's a bit like Copper Head Lady, in that she adapts how the race is presented," he said.
"She's got good gate speed.
"She came out under a throttle hold last start and I think she would've crossed if we wanted her too."
Tomorrow's Sales Classic meeting gets underway at 5.55pm.
