Trainer Marc Conners is confident Willaidow is back on track for Ajax Stakes win after ‘trainer error’ defeat last start

Trainer Marc Conners is confident Willaidow can bounce back to his best in the Ajax Stakes at Rosehill and push his claims for the Doncaster Mile.

Trainer Marc Conners takes the blame for Willaidow’s last-start defeat and expects his stable star to bounce back to his best in Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Willaidow returned with a bang with a tough win in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes last month but failed to fire second-up in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup.

Conners gave an honest appraisal of why his son of Shamus Award wasn’t up to the mark last start and believes he can atone this weekend.

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“I put it down to trainer error last start,” Conners said.

“I left him too fresh. He was a month between runs, he was too full of himself before the race.

“I saw him before the race and I knew I was in trouble.

“He has had a couple of gallops since then and he’s tightened up and looked a lot better so we are in a better place and you will see a different horse on Saturday.”

Jockey Zac Lloyd will take over the ride on Willaidow in what shapes as a crucial assignment for the gelding.

Conners is hoping Willaidow can thrust himself into contention for the Group 1 $4m Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick on April 5.

Willaidow digs deep to win the Southern Cross Stakes in a photo! 📸 @[e-mail]/XRZd4oFPcj

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Willaidow has been given the featherweight of 50kg for the Doncaster and sits equal 50th in the ballot order for the feature.

“He has to perform in this race and if he doesn’t perform in this race we don’t deserve to go there,” Conners said.

“It’s going to be a strong race so we have to be at our best and perform in a race like this.

“It’s a different level going to a Doncaster where you will take on a horse like Linebacker, who is going to have less weight than him.”

Willaidow is an $11 chance in the Ajax Stakes where Ducasse holds sway with the bookies at $4.60.

Originally published as Trainer Marc Conners is confident Willaidow is back on track for Ajax Stakes win after ‘trainer error’ defeat last start