You would think a horse beaten less than 2-1/2 lengths in the Group I Epsom Handicap should probably be winning a Class 3 Plate at Doomben.
But the dilemma confronting punters is Chris Waller's galloper Torgersen hasn't won in 650 days and not even the stable is sure how he will fare.
Torgersen, who ran eighth beaten 2-1/4 lengths behind Hauraki in last year's Epsom, is a $5 chance on Sportsbet and CrownBet for Saturday's Gadens Lawyers Class 3 Plate (1350m) as he resumes from a spell.
Torgersen arrived in Queensland earlier this week to prepare for his first run in the Sunshine State.
"You would think he would win this race comfortably because he is 15 ratings points clear of any of his rivals and he meets them at set weights," Waller's Gold Coast stable manager Paul Shailer said.
"But the problem is he hasn't won for so long and perhaps he has learned how not to win.
"He is the stable's most interesting Brisbane runner on Saturday and I, like everyone else, am intrigued as to how he will go.
"We were encouraged by his first trial in August when he was less than two lengths behind Takedown, but the confidence was zapped a bit when he ran last in his most recent trial at Randwick."
Champion Sydney trainer Waller has enjoyed just the solitary Queensland winner since setting up his Gold Coast satellite stable.
Devil Hawk won a 2220m staying event at Doomben in early August but Waller's Queensland stable has had no winners since.
Shailer feels that may change at Doomben on Saturday – but not necessarily with Torgersen.
He likes the chances of three-year-old filly Colombo, a $6 chance in the Herron Todd White QTIS 3YO Handicap (1350m).
Snitz is the $2 favourite but Shailer thinks his Foxwedge filly can topple the hotpot.
"The race she ran fourth in on the Gold Coast last month now looks a very strong race," Shailer said.
"(Sydney winner) Shogun Sun ran second in that race and the winner (Whypeeo) has gone onto record a good win at Doomben."
