If it's not broken, then don't fix it. Keith Dryden can Handle The Truth of the famous saying and that's why his Kosciuszko-winning horse is on track for another competitive chance.
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The Canberra trainer says Handle The Truth's main mission is to scale the $1.3 million Kosciuszko again this year and has designed a three-month schedule for his podium defence on October 17.
It's been seven weeks since Handle The Truth's last race and he's currently preparing at three-quarter pace, with Dryden eyeing two barrier trials and a Randwick race before Everest Day.
Dryden's plans for the five-year-old gelding are the same as last year, given he scores a ticket for the world's richest race for country-trained horses.
"I'm a great believer in 'if it's not broken then don't fix it'. That's worked well and he's right on track," Dryden said.
"I'm prepping him for the Kosciuszko, that's his main mission this preparation.
"If we're lucky enough to get a ticket in the race I think he'll be a competitive chance this year.
"It's pretty hard to get a horse in the race, so to get the same horse two years in a row is a tribute to the horse. We might not get a ticket, I'm being realistic, but if we do it's going to be a big bonus and everyone will be thrilled."
Dryden had a double win at a wet Thoroughbred Park on Friday, led by Wichita Warrior finishing first in the Federal (1600 metres) and Wilful Soul claiming the maiden plate (1200 metres).
Wichita Warrior sprinted down the outside on the straight to beat the Greg Stephens-trained Garros by 0.92 lengths, claiming his third win in six starts. Dryden's Sweet Knuckle rounded out the podium with Jay Ford onboard.
Four-year-old Wichita Warrior will now head to the paddock for a spell, having claimed back-to-back wins in his first preparation.
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"We'll bring him back and he'll go to Sydney midweek probably, he's going to be up in rating a bit now," Dryden said.
"He's done a great job. We'll just have to play it by ear, I'll give him a break now and let him mature a bit.
"The Federal is always hard to win. Sweet Knuckle is running consistent races, she's not winning at the moment but she's not far away.
"That'll be great for the owners, I hope they get a win very shortly."
Wilful Soul's maiden win came more than two years after her racing debut and in her 11th start. Dryden was thrilled for her owners.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
