If assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is right, Smokin' Romans is about to strike form at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper contests the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m) on Saturday, one of five runners from the stable.
A Group 1 winner of the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in October 2022, Smokin' Romans has placed only once in 12 subsequent starts.
Smokin' Romans did run seventh in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following the Turnbull Stakes success and fourth in an Australian Cup at Flemington.
Turnbull said Smokin' Romans had been progressing well this campaign and had finally drawn a gate where he can hold a position in the run.
"He's been up at Ballarat and is coming off a slow build-up," Turnbull said.
"He had a long spell over summer after a couple of heavy seasons and this campaign, being winter, we're trying to get some confidence back and he's brimming with confidence.
"I know he hasn't won, but he's hit the board a couple of times, and every time Jaylah (Kennedy, who rides again on Saturday) gets off him, she's just rapt with how well he's going."
Turnbull is banking on some recent schooling and a hurdle trial at Pakenham bringing out the best in Normandy Bridge who will be favoured by the wet conditions on Saturday.
Normandy Bridge posted three successive wins last winter but has failed to recapture that form this campaign.
Turnbull said Normandy Bridge was a thinker.
"He's been here, there and everywhere, and mentally he undoes himself," Turnbull said.
"He loves the conditions, his fitness levels are fine, but he needs to do it.
"He can be unruly at times and hopefully the jumping will knock a bit of sense into him."
The Maher stable will also be represented by Interpretation, fitter for one run back from a spell, last start Caulfield winner Wyclif and Herman Hesse, having his first run since contesting the Pakenham Cup in March.
