Jockey Michael Walker only has one ride but says he has a great chance of notching his first city win in almost six months at Saturday's Caulfield meeting.
Walker missed five months through injury but the rider has quietly gone about his business with four winners from 29 rides since returning to the saddle earlier this month.
Three of Walker's wins have been at double-figure odds but punters have backed his mount Danuki from $6.50 to $5.50 to win the Jason Hart BM78 Handicap (1100m).
The Clinton McDonald-trained Danuki resumes from a spell in the $60,000 contest but takes a sound record of a win and two minor placings from four first-up runs.
Walker rode Danuki is his last jumpout at Caulfield on July 18 and the son of Exceed And Excel's work since that jumpout has pleased the New Zealand-born jockey.
"His jumpouts have been excellent," Walker said. "I was on him the other day in a jumpout against Lankan Rupee and he was really impressive.
"I've galloped him a couple of times since and he has worked really well.
"Clinton has got him going really well. He's happy and he's in a good frame of mind."
Danuki has led is most of his 18 starts but Walker said the five-year-old could take a trail if one of his rivals wants to overdo things up front early in the race while the gelding's 60kg handicap was unlikely to pose a problem.
"He has got to carry 60kg but I think he's a big and strong enough horse to lump that weight and I expect him to run.
"He's not a horse that is going to jump out and pull.
"I'll sit off them and if something wants to go too quick then I'll let it go. Naturally, he has got early speed but I'm not going to get into a cut-throat duel."
Danuki is the favourite in Sportsbet's open market on the event ahead of the Aaron Purcell-trained Written Era and Daniel Stackhouse's mount Kabrocco at $7.50.
