TRAINER Mitch Beer is convinced that Koscuiszko contender Redouble's best hope of winning the $1.3-million feature is first-up from a spell.
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Redouble has proved ultra competitive in the past when resuming with one win and five minor placings from eight previous attempts.
The winner of more than $1.2-million in prizemoney scored an effortless trial victory at Albury last Thursday in his first public appearance for Beer.
Redouble was formerly trained by Bjorn Baker before switching stables to target the world's richest race for country trained horses.
Beer said Redouble and Handle The Truth boast a huge class edge over most of their rivals with both gallopers having a million plus in career earnings.
"I've got no hesitation running the horse first-up, he's a class horse and doesn't have to prove himself going into the race,'' Beer told the Racing NSW website.
"His first-up record when you go through it, he rarely runs out of the first three and in very decent races.
"The horse's fitness is excellent, he'd trial again if we were going to go first-up.
"He's a horse better on top of the ground, we have a contingency plan of running him a fortnight to three weeks out but if we are going to strike a soft track we will save him for the big dance."
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Redouble finished half-a-length behind Snitz when resuming in listed company at Randwick in May.
Snitz was the favourite in futures betting for The Koscuiszko before being withdrawn.
Redouble also boasts a half-a-length third behind multiple group one winner Trekking when resuming in April last year.
Beer said he was delighted with Redouble's trial victory after scoring a soft win by 4.5-lengths.
The young trainer said the son of Redoute's Choice would prove more lethal with the addition of blinkers if he gains a slot in The Koscuiszko.
"He's such a blinker horse, that's one thing I've learned about him since he came,'' Beer said.
"He's a completely different horse with blinkers and I left them off because it's only a trial.
"Once he got in front he had a good look around so Jordy (Jordan Mallyon) just gave him a little dig at the 200m and gee his last 100m was just explosive.
"I've trialled my fair share of horses here at Albury and I don't think I've walked away as happy as that."
