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By Ray Hickson

It wasn’t exactly a smooth start to the preparation for Dynamic One but trainer Michael Travers feels he’s winning the battle and has his chance to post an anniversary win at Gundagai on Sunday.

Travers, who retired from race riding last year, said the gelding’s first few runs back were below par following an injury enforced layoff but placings at Gundagai and Albury, plus a favourable draw, tell him the Darby Wood Memorial (1400m) is within reach.

Dynamic One’s last win was at the corresponding meeting a year ago.

“He’s going really well. We had him in a Highway last week but scratched him because he was a little off colour during the week so I saw this race as a good back up option,’’ Travers said.

“We haven’t drawn the car park for once which is really nice. Nick (Souquet) rode him really well two runs back so hopefully we can get a result.

“He does goes a little better on the wetter tracks but I think we’ve got him back to where we want him to perform on top of the ground.”

The four-year-old, who had his first two starts for Peter Moody, endured a wide run when second on a heavy 10 at Albury on August 20 and while the margin wasn’t flattering the Wagga trainer went home thinking his turn is close.

“Young Holly (Durnan) got caught three and four wide throughout, the winner got the run up on the fence with a 9kg pull in the weights,’’ he said.

Dynamic One runs second at Albury on August 20

“He did well enough, you obviously don’t like being beaten six lengths but the run had merit and I was happy walking away with second place.”

Travers also has Red Hill in the race and is taking a wait and see approach to the five-year-old who only joined his stable this week.

He’s a winner of two from 28 and was beaten 18 lengths over a mile at Wagga two weeks ago.

“He was only purchased during the week and I’ve only been on his back a couple times so I couldn’t give you a guide to him yet,’’ Travers said.

The barrier gods haven’t helped Master Artist’s cause in the Garry Readford Memorial (1180m) but Travers says it’s not all bad for the promising three-year-old.

He drew the outside barrier in what will ultimately be no more than a field of 12 and after a slashing second at his second race start the trainer said the barrier might actually be a plus.

“It’s not quite a straight run but there is a very long run for the first part of the race over 1180m so Shaun (Guymer) will have every opportunity to pick and choose where he wants to be,’’ he said.

“He has a bit of a problem getting going in his races but the plan was if we drew a gate we’d be handier. Drawing that wide opens up options for Shaun to press forward midrace if he wants to.

“As much as it’s a bad gate it might actually play in our favour.”

Master Artist was $2.50 favourite when he hit the line strongly in a 1200m maiden at Wagga two weeks ago behind Ace Of Lace and the pair but a sizeable gap on the rest.

“He found himself a long way back but Shaun let him balance up, and we ran into one that was going well at the time,’’ he said.

“It stole a march on us but giving away that start just told. Once we get him up over a mile next preparation he’ll be a better horse.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Gundagai meeting