Trainer John Hyam hoping for Christmas cheer with Petman

NOT even a wide barrier for Petman ($4.60) can dampen John Hyam's festive feeling about Wednesday's $80,000 Christmas Handicap.

NOT even a wide barrier for Petman ($4.60) can dampen John Hyam's festive feeling about Wednesday's $80,000 Christmas Handicap, to be raced over 1400m.

The Morphettville trainer has been on a hot streak of success since moving to the city recently and a victory for his stable star in a Listed event would crown his year.

"He really deserves a Listed win and I think his form over in Melbourne shows he's up to one," Hyam said.

"The draw could be in our favour as there's a lot of pace inside and (jockey) Troy Baker should be able to slot in nicely."

Petman ran third in the Listed Zedative Stakes (1200m) in January at Caulfield and second in the Listed Heading Out Stakes over the same track and trip in October.

In between, he was gelded in a last-ditch attempt to make him race more tractably. Hyam has seen an immediate difference in the horse since the operation.

"He's just so much more relaxed and mature," the trainer said. "He's thrived since his last run and we couldn't be going in any better placed."

Hyam tested his four-year-old over the seven furlong journey last start and the son of Lonhro was strong to the line, albeit in lesser company, raising stable confidence.

Race favourite Hidden Value ($2.60) is another with a slight stamina query and despite a win for Petman against the son of Face Value, Hyam considers him the principal rival for the $55,000 first prize.

Petman has barrier 10 for the race that is a "love-to-win" race for most South Australian trainers each year, while Hidden Value is ideally drawn in two.

Win, lose or draw Petman will be straight to the paddock for a let-up before being prepared for the Adelaide autumn carnival.

"I really want to see if I can step him out to a mile (the 1600m distance) next time," Hyam said.

"It creates more options and everything tells me that he should be able to run it right out."

Last year's Christmas Handicap winner, Bagman, ridden by Simon Price for Sam Kavanagh, was denied a chance as a dual winner of the race when owners recently transferred him to the NSW stable of John O'Shea.

Prominent multiple winners of the race, which was traditionally run at Cheltenham racecourse over 1450m, include Lipman, Emblem Boy, Beau George and Royal Ida, who won three times.