Only fools would rush in to give up on Its Elvis after just two starts.
And a crucial shoeing change could turn him from pretender to contender in the non-winners' trot which opens tonight's 10-race card at Forbury Park.
The full brother to Its Oscar (7 wins) has galloped near the business end of his two starts for Mosgiel trainer Darryn Simpson.
But a change to the set-up on the 4yr-old's hooves has Simpson feeling a lot more confident about tonight's 2200m assignment.
"He hadn't been trotting that good, to be fair,'' Simpson said.
"We've changed his shoeing around and he's trotting a hell of a lot better and a lot stronger.
"We took all the weight off we had, and we've just put aluminium plates on.''
Simpson tested out the new shoes at the Forbury Park workouts last weekend, and the gelding put in a good performance to win the 2200m heat in 3 minutes flat.
Tonight's c0 trot field is not the easiest field for Its Elvis to crack, with Pegarose, Clover Lady and Pyramid Mustang all likely to attract punters' money.
Despite that, a complete performance from Its Elvis could be enough for him to clear maidens at his third attempt.
"I think I've got him as close as I can get him at this stage,'' Simpson said yesterday.
"I'm rapt with him, really, and he's pretty well. The way he's set up now I think his confidence will get better, but I still think he'd have to be a good show tomorrow night.''
There have been no such gait issues with Montmorensy (race 5), although he will have to overcome the awkward draw of barrier 1.
That means he will have to stand for a while as the field comes into line.
"I think it should be all right - he is usually pretty sensible,'' Simpson said.
"You don't want to put the mockers on but I don't think it will be a problem.
Simpson took the Monarchy 4yr-old to the workouts on Saturday where he ran second to race rival Feather Boyz.
"He was pretty much unpushed, really, and finished with the others. He seems bright, so I'm really happy with him.''
Simpson's mother, Maureen, claimed Missy Mach at Forbury Park on April 28, and the mare has her first start in Simpson's colours tonight.
"She dropped back to the c2 [grade] so we thought we'd give her a go in a c2 race. She took a couple of days to settle in but she's good as gold now and her work has been great.''
