Batavia Sprint Preview (Geraldton)

Posted on April 8, 2016April 11, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Michael Lane believes Fiddlers Elbow is on the verge of ending a long losing drought when he tackles the Purcher International-Batavia Sprint (1300m) at Geraldton on Sunday.

The Bunbury trainer, who has his stable in hot form, is confident the Hurricane Sky gelding can recapture his best form and end a losing sequence of 533 days.

Fiddlers Elbow hasn’t won since he defeated Point To The Sky and Tiger Pete over 1200m at Ascot when under the guidance of Myalup horseman, Justin Warwick.

Fiddlers Elbow hit a purple patch for Warwick when he won four straight races and was placed three times in a seven race stretch at Ascot and Belmont in 2014.

But Lane has urged supporters to stick solid with the six-year-old after he ran an eye-catching fifth in last fortnight’s Fitzpatrick Plate (1230m) at Albany

Only three-quarters of a length separated the first five runners across the track with Run Liam Run scoring a breathtaking last-stride victory.

“It was a real good run and he is going super,” Lane said on Tabradio.

“He was probably a little bit unlucky not to have gone closer.

“If he had won the race you would have said he was back to his best.

“The way he is going he is full of zest and jumping out of his skin.”

Fiddlers Elbow had one hit out for leading trainer, Adam Durrant, last year, before enjoying an extended break and teaming up with Lane’s Bunbury stable.

Lane launched Fiddlers Elbow’s campaign in March when he ran fifth behind Classical Prince, beaten 1 ½ lengths, before finishing 2 ½ lengths eighth to King Of The Palace.

“We gave him a lot of time to settle and he had a good spell,” Lane said.

“He had a good six months off and sometimes when you give older horses that time off you can get another good prep out of them.

“I think that has been the key, a good spell and he has come back up again.”

Fiddlers Elbow has drawn gate four in the field of 14 starters. Troy Turner takes the ride.

Lane is aiming for his second Batavia Sprint in five years after preparing In Faith (2011).

Julio Santarelli