Trainer Liam Howley to learn more about Why Worry in strong Caulfield sprint on Saturday

Trainer Liam Howley will learn even more about former Hong Kong sprinter Why Worry on Saturday in a pursuit of a second-straight win at Caulfield.

Trainer Liam Howley will learn even more about former Hong Kong sprinter Why Worry on Saturday chasing a second win at Caulfield.

Despite a tenacious Australian debut, a track and distance win four weeks’ ago, Why Worry is a $9 chance with TAB in the 1200m Benchmark 84 on Saturday.

Favourite Baraqiel ($3.50) is unbeaten in three starts, while second elect The Open ($5) has won four of five including the past three.

Jewellery, a brilliant Benchmark 78 Fillies and Mares winner last start at Caulfield, is at $6.50.

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“It’s certainly a stronger race than what I was expecting this time of year,” Howley said.

“I thought at the nominations stage ‘gee if this ends up being the race it could be it’s going to be a hot race’.

“I said to the owner … it’s going to give us a good guide where we fit going forward, whether we could go to the next stage.

“He’s always given me the feel he could be that genuine Saturday-class horse, a 100-rater in time, but he’s got to get there, he’s got to do it and got to be pulling up well.”

Liam Howley after Why Worry won at Caulfield last start Picture: Scott Barbour

Why Worry led from start to finish last start and responded when challenged under pressure.

The strength of the win attracted a six-point Australian rating uptick from 78 to 84.

“I’m hoping he can be a Saturday class horse, he’s a nice horse,” Howley said.

“One thing about him, from a training point of view, he went from being very fierce on the bridle to now … to be a really happy horse, so we feel he’s in a good spot.

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“I knew he had a good engine (before last start win), he showed me enough at trackwork to say he was going to be genuinely competitive in 78 class, but I needed to learn a bit more about him and see how he handled the occasion.

“I’d suggest he’d be better again. He was a little bit wound up pre-race and then went out and did it well, he’s been bombproof since.

“I hope he can conserve a bit more energy pre-race and take it to the track.”

Why Worry showed potential in Hong Kong, winning three of his first four starts, but setbacks made him hard to manage in the environment.

The gelding has since thrived in the pristine and peaceful setting at Macedon Lodge, a far cry from the Hong Kong hustle and bustle.

ENNA’S DREAM UP TO THE TASK

Enna’s Dream could be vulnerable back in distance at Caulfield but trainer Alexander Rae expects the talented filly to handle the task.

Enna’s Dream has placed third the past two starts, at 1100m and 1400m, before an untimely bout of mucus forced the change of plan.

The three-year-old Winning Rupert filly was set for a 1400m race at Sandown a fortnight ago but for the minor setback.

The 1200m pit stop on Saturday is set to have Enna’s Dream, a month between runs, “cherry ripe” for a 1400m at Caulfield on July 13.

Enna’s Dream is a $5 second favourite behind Sheva ($4.40) in the Three-Year-Old Fillies Handicap (1200m), with third elect Bossy Nic ($5.50) another threat.

“She needs a lot to go her way,” Rae said.

“She’ll be in the back half of the field and if they go crazy in front you can bet your bottom dollar she’s going to be getting home. Whether there’s enough time to get the lot of them, probably unlikely, but she’ll be coming home very hard late, we can be sure of that.”

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Enna’s Dream and favourite Sheva will jump from barriers 13 and 14 respectively.

“From the gate we’ll ride her ultra-conservatively, she’ll be running on,” Rae said.

“She’s probably going to find it difficult to win … she needs the run to be cherry ripe for two weeks’ time.

“That’s got her name written all over it, if I don’t run Saturday all of a sudden it’s six or seven weeks between runs … she’s a bit of a porker the little girl so she needs the run.”

Rae also has Little Jack, an $8.50 chance, in the 2000m Benchmark 78 on Saturday.

Little Jack has earned a shot in town with two wins and a second on the provincial circuit.

The four-year-old gelding has won three of six starts and been runner-up twice previously.

“He gets a good opportunity at metropolitan level and will be good see where he measures up, we really like him,” Rae said.

Originally published as Trainer Liam Howley to learn more about Why Worry in strong Caulfield sprint on Saturday