The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Madison County has had no luck in his two starts this spring and again has drawn poorly ahead of Saturday’s Gr.2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
The dual Group One winner will start from the outside gate of 11 in Saturday’s contest, having jumped from barrier 17 when trapped wide in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), finishing seventh under top-weight.
“His run was okay in the Toorak,” jockey Damian Lane said.
“He is probably still coming right. He is a little bit behind in his coat but he is starting to come good.
“It is a shame he has drawn wide again. It just makes it tricky around Moonee Valley.
“He is certainly improving with each run and he gets back to a better weight scale. He has been giving a lot of weight under handicap conditions, so that will suit him a bit better.”
Madison County sports the colours of China Horse Club and could potentially back-up in next week’s Gr.1 Kennedy Cantala (1600m) at Flemington.
