The 4yr-old son of McArdle goes into today's $10,000 3-5 win mobile pace with three wins from his last four starts, bringing his career record to eight wins from 30 starts. Ardghal showed some ability as a 2yr-old, finishing second in the 2011 Kindergarten Stakes, but regular pilot Nathan Williamson said the switch had not flicked in the Roger and Katrina Price-trained gelding's head - just a change of racing style seems to have worked.
''He's been in races where things have worked out for him,'' Williamson said.
''He's definitely got a bit stronger this year, and whereas he used to be driven to get out to the front, lately his style has changed. He enjoys coming with one run at them now.''
Because of Ardghal's new style of racing, the wide barrier draw of seven is not weighing heavily on Williamson's mind.
''That's not going to make too much difference to him,'' he said.
''He'll probably just settle back and he's capable of reeling off a really fast sectional.
''Hopefully we can get a drag into it on the [three-wide] train at the right time and he can make use of it.''
The $10,000 stake has attracted a nice field, with Fiery Del staying in Southland after his win at Wyndham on Sunday. Robs Ideal finally has a mobile barrier draw to work with,close to the markers at barrier two, while Freyberg was brave behind Fiery Del on Sunday. Williamson is pleased with Galaxy Hunter, who scored his fourth career win at Wyndham. Williamson, who trains and drives the Thanksgiving 4yr-old, said he was continuing to improve in preparation for the 1-3 win handicap trot.
''If everything worked in his favour, it wouldn't surprise me to see him win the race.''
The major danger for Galaxy Hunter is Free Dreams, who starts on the front line and has done little wrong in his four career starts.
Williamson is back behind Experiment in the non-winners trot after Dexter Dunn tried unsuccessfully three times to figure the Tony Barron-trained daughter of Sundon out.
''It's a bit of a trick. She's got the ability but she can be a wee bit temperamental,'' he said.
''Tony has worked hard on her and she has been trotting a lot more solidly at the workouts and the trials. Touch wood, and we're hopeful that she goes good.''
The Ryal Bush horseman likes Cantthinkofaname's draw in a non-winners 2400m mobile, with the son of Barnett Hanover to leave the mobile gate from barrier one.
''He's probably my best drive just due to the fact he's one of those horses who it suits if he's left alone in front. You never like to predict too much, but that might be the way of the race.''
