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The last time Adam Hyeronimus rode Ecuador in a race was almost three years ago to the day when the then frustrating maiden broke through at Gosford.
In between? The nearly horse, a group 1 placegetter and mixing it with the big boys of a Melbourne spring, has floated in and out of form. Enough to trouble even a Hall Of Famer like Gai Waterhouse.
But Hyeronimus is hopeful – rather than brimming with confidence – the trainer might have stumbled on the trick with Ecuador in the listed Lord Mayor's Cup on Saturday.
"He's got the ability and is a very nice horse, that's not the issue," Hyeronimus said. "The issue is that he has a bit of a flat spot so to speak and only going through the paces and only doing what he has to.
"That's why I think backing him up in a week [after the Hawkesbury Gold Cup] will suit him. He'll know what's going on."
The last time Ecuador was at 2000 metres he was only just over a length off Gailo Chop, the winner of the group 1 Mackinnon Stakes. Waterhouse will finally step the $13 Lord Mayor's Cup chance back up to that trip.
"I think 2000 metres will suit him and he will be able to find himself a lot closer and maybe even lead and be able to control the race," Hyeronimus said. "That should allow him to get into the race at a vital stage."
Hyeronimus' strong Rosehill book also includes the horse he has unlocked the key to – Ecuador's stablemate Caped Crusader – as well as Godolphin's highly touted debutant Archives in the opener.
"Hopefully, I can kick a bit of a goal [for the bigger stables]," Hyeronimus said. "They said [Archives] is a very nice horse and he's trialled well and they expect him to run well [on Saturday]."
Of Caped Crusader, Hyeronimus said: "He's going well. The 1200 [metres] is probably a bit short of his best, but I reckon he'll be very competitive and they'll know that he's in the race for sure."
