Italian Mirco Demuro will be taking cues from a countryman who is a champion in a different form of racing when he attempts to get straight-line speedster Amber Sky around a turn in Sunday's Jockey Club Sprint.
Amber Sky blew his chances as a heavily backed 2.6 favourite in the same race last year, jockey Neil Callan wrestling with the then four-year-old, who led easily but refused to race near the fence.
Demuro believes barrier nine will allow him to take a leaf out of seven-time Moto GP champion Valentino Rossi's playbook and take a "wide line" into the first turn.
"Of course I have to make sure he is clear of the other runners when I cross, but I think that barrier draw helps him," he said. "I didn't want an inside barrier."
Demuro trialled Amber Sky on the dirt nearly two weeks ago and was pleased with the gelding's tractability. He suggested that he could sit outside the lead, instead of crossing to the rail, and that may suit the horse better.
"I think he can handle it this time because he is a year older now. I think he just doesn't like the rail and wants to stay away - it's not that he goes too fast or hangs."
