A canny pair of horsemen have found the best in Algrancobowjoel.
But now a new set of hands will be in the sulky behind the 4yr-old at Geraldine on Saturday.
The pacer will start from barrier 8 in a c1 junior drivers mobile pace - a prospect that would not have been possible when Fernside trainer Phil Burrows first got his hands on the son of McArdle.
The half-brother to 2006 Kindergarten Stakes winner Flak Jacket has been a handful for Burrows and regular stable driver Gavin Smith.
''He's just been a bit of a work in progress,'' Burrows said after the gelding's win at Oamaru on January 18.
''He's a typical big sort of horse and a bit on the dumb side. He's been really slow to get the handle on things and Gav's done a really good job with him at the trials.
''He's so much better now. I think he will be fine as long as the driver's schooled up on what to do with him.''
Algrancobowjoel has been kept to mobile events for a very good reason - although even the mobile starts prove to be a challenge at times.
''He used to just stop and stand there and you would have to lean him forward or he would stand there all day - that's why he'll never ever be in a stand, I wouldn't think,'' Burrows said.
''But he has had a bit of a habit at the trials [from a mobile] - they didn't qualify him the first time because he hears them coming up behind him behind the gate and he panics and turns and does all sorts of things. He's just got better all round.''
Algrancobowjoel's win at Oamaru was comfortable, after Smith eased him back off the gate before working forward and sitting parked with 900m to go, going on to win by almost three lengths.
The big Orari track is a logical option for the 4yr-old as he continues his education.
"I've just kept him to the big roomy grass tracks, which is probably helping him at this stage,'' Burrows said.
''I probably should have lined him up at Addington but just mentally, it's probably a little bit too much for him.''
