A bit of ringcraft gained in Adelaide could help Meat Traders step up to Melbourne city class in Saturday's Laming Racing Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield.
Meat Traders, so named because of the involvement of most of his owners in the meat industry, was a dominant first-up winner over 1400m at Sale on June 18 before the Peter Gelagotis stable stepped him up to 1800m at Morphettville on July 1.
Meat Traders hit the front in the straight before going down narrowly at Morphettville but the son of Pins thrilled the stable with his effort.
Stable manager Manny Gelagotis said the jump from 1400m to 1800m was the main reason for Meat Traders being nabbed on the line but the gelding's inexperience might also have been a factor.
"Probably the jump from the 1400 to the 1800m got him beaten in Adelaide," Gelagotis said.
"He just got caught for 50m where he couldn't get the outside run and he had to go back in and that's all just street smarts stuff."
Meat Traders steps up to 2000m for his sixth start but the staying prospect has pleased connections with his progress since his Adelaide run, which left connections expecting another good effort on Saturday.
"Melbourne is another step in grade but now he's had that 1800m run and he's a bit more seasoned, we're hoping he'll measure up. Where he sits, we'll find out Saturday," Gelagotis said.
"I thought it was a terrific effort in Adelaide and his gallop on Tuesday was really good and he worked like a Saturday class horse.
"Is he ready? He's drawn perfectly, he'll get a good run and I think he'll run to his best on Saturday.
"At the weights, I think he'll be cheeky."
Anthony Darmanin has ridden Meat Traders in all his runs and will be aboard again on Saturday. -racenet.com.au