Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan Jr chasing a Melbourne Cup start with Ferago via Andrew Ramsden Stakes

A combination of practical difficulties and a quirky galloper have forced trainer Patrick Ryan Jr to do things differently ahead of Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden at Flemington.

Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan Jr has had to be one step ahead of his stable star Ferago in his preparation for Saturday’s $500,000 Andrew Ramsden at Flemington.

Ryan has had to cope with scarce grass gallops at Warrnambool while balancing the need to keep the wily Ferago focused on his racing.

The trainer came up with a solution, get Ferago on the grass either before or during the jumps trials held on the circuit.

“We can’t get many track gallops at Warrnambool because it’s hard to get the use of the grass,” Ryan Jr said.

“So I just used the jumps trial as more of a training tool and he’s a really good jumper.

“When the trials are on, he’ll often school a lap before them for mainly fitness but also to sharpen him up.”

Ryan Jr said he needed to mix the gelding’s training to ensure he was sharp on race day.

The trainer’s methods has been successful enough to win five races and more than $300,000 in stakes.

Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan Jr has used a few different tools to get Ferago to peak fitness for Saturday's $500,000 Andrew Ramsden. Picture: Racing Photos

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The son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has also finished third in last year’s Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes and fourth in the recent Warrnambool Cup.

“He’s a tricky horse,” Ryan Jr said.

“He’s a horse that you’re always trying to switch on and get him to try and whatnot.”

The betting market for the Andrew Ramsden, which offers a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption to the winner, also surprised Ryan Jr.

TAB rated Ferago at $26 while Let’sbefrankbaby is a $9.50 chance despite a long neck separating the pair when they clashed at Caulfield last Saturday.

“They’ve got him at 20 odd bucks but the horse he arguably would have beaten with 10 more metres at Caulfield is an $8 pop,” Ryan Jr said.

“He’s at full fitness now and up to 2800m suits.

“His only run at 3200 was outstanding when he won the Jericho heat so I think he’s got a good chance.”

Drawing barrier 14 concerned Ryan Jr but he said jockey Jarrod Fry could roll forward early before securing the cover Ferago needed to finish off the race.

“He’s probably as good as I’ve had but the barrier is a little bit of a concern so we’ll try and roll forward,” Ryan Jr said.

“If you expose him early, he lets down and then he starts wandering when he hits the front you’ve got to keep him sucking up runs through the field and interested.

“He’s better just tracking up behind them and having the last crack at them.”

Jockey Jarrod Fry will again ride Ferago at Flemington.

Originally published as Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan Jr chasing a Melbourne Cup start with Ferago via Andrew Ramsden Stakes