Mel Eggleston says Heza Demon has turned into a tradesman ahead of Gold Coast run

TRAINER Mel Eggleston says Heza Demon has transformed from lout to tradesman-like and hasn’t ruled out the three-year-old’s first win coming at today’s metropolitan meeting on the Gold Coast.

TRAINER Mel Eggleston says Heza Demon has transformed from a lout to tradesman-like, believing the three-year-old’s first win could come at today’s metropolitan meeting on the Gold Coast.

Hoop Michael Cahill will ride the gelding in today’s Trackside Tapas Maiden Plate (1200m). A win there would be a major breakthrough for Heza Demon’s career, that has included two third-place finishes from four starts.

“I don’t think the (field) is overly strong,” Eggleston said.

“He’s got a fair gate (6) and should get a nice run in the race. I think he will be there.

“He is still going to take plenty out of it. I’m still thinking it will be a forward showing from him.”

Heza Demon finished seventh, third and seventh in his first preparation last year before a shoulder injury sustained during his first run of his second preparation in September meant he was given another spell.

But Eggleston said it was a blessing in disguise for the then immature Heza Demon who has come back a different horse for a third preparation on the back of a second-place finish at a trial on May 2.

“He seems to have come back a different horse this time so I’m expecting him to go good,” Eggleston said.

“He has grown a lot more and grown up a lot more in the head. He was a little bit of a lout. But now he’s had a couple of good spells he has grown up a lot and given all that stuff away. He is more tradesman-like this time in.

“I’m not saying he is going to be any champion but I think he should win a couple of races this time in.

“His trial was handy without being sensational so he is in that race with a chance.”

Eggleston will have two other runners on the Gold Coast today with Argent Etoile in the Maiden Plate (1200m) and More Than Money in the Class 5 Handicap (1200m).

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