The Parramatta River opens up into Sydney Harbour, and Terry Chmiel will be looking for a similar gap with his pacer Parramatta at Forbury Park tonight.
The 4yr old looks like the best horse in race 4 but - like most of the runners trained by Chmiel and his wife, Glenys - has drawn poorly.
He will start from barrier 10, the inside of the second line, but the one saving grace is he is by himself on the second row.
Chmiel, who takes the drive himself, is hoping he can punch through and get handy at the start of the c2 2200m mobile pace.
''I don't know what to do - I think the 2 [Top Brass] will go forward as well so we might be able to get through,'' Chmiel said.
The son of McArdle looked to have a bright future when he debuted last August, winning two of his first five starts, including a win over subsequent Derby contender Brilliant Strike.
But he has failed to live up to his billing in two starts this summer since being gelded - performances that have left the Chmiels wondering what to do.
''We couldn't pinpoint it - we just don't know. Everything went wrong after we gelded him.
''But he seems to be right now - I'm happy with the way he's working and he's still on the way up.
''He worked good and he trialled good the other day - if he's right, he should be too good.''
The Chmiels backed off Parramatta after his eighth at Timaru on February 15, and a second at the Addington trials on March 30 suggests he is heading in the right direction.
''They ran home in 56 [seconds] off the front and he made a length or two on the way home. That would have blown him out good.''
Pretend (race 5) also got a slap in the face from the barrier gods, drawing 17 in a 2200m mobile pace.
Scratchings mean he will start from 7 on the second line but, in an even field, the Santanna Blue Chip colt could still threaten.
''He's actually working good too - I thought he was a bit of a chance if he drew good, but then he drew awful. But he's a show if he got a decent suck, through.''
Giada (race 2) is the third second line runner for the Chmiels, drawing 12 in the 1700m c0 fillies and mares mobile pace and is fresh for tonight's assignment.
''She was just average last time round. Her trials haven't been too bad, but she will need to improve a bit - she's a place at best, especially from the draw. It'll be hard from there.''
McArdles Smooth (race 6) bucked the trend and starts from barrier 6, although he should improve with racing.
''He's had two runs back and it will take him a few runs to come right,'' he said. But his last run wasn't too bad, really - they went a pretty quick time at Addington. He's definitely a place chance if he got a wee bit of luck.''
Chmiel nominated Florrie Bendix (race 3) as the best of his drives for other trainers for the night.
