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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Gary Moore subscribes to the view that a horse should be forgiven for one bad run and, with that in mind, hopes Nuclear Summit can produce his best at Wyong on Wednesday.

The well bred colt failed to beat a runner home on debut as a $5.50 chance at Rosehill earlier this month and at $26 has been deserted by the TAB market for the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong Classic (1100m).

Moore said he couldn’t believe how poorly Nuclear Summit performed, beaten five lengths by Athiri, especially on the back of an easy trial win.

“That’s not him, on what he did before the race he just couldn’t run that badly,’’ Moore said.

“He dropped off plainly which was a disappointment.

“He did go hard and he couldn’t handle that pace. He’s worked well since and he breezed well this week, I expect him to run a lot better ridden just off the speed.’’

Nuclear Summit ran the first 300m of his debut in 18.85 (Punters Intel) which was just 0.06 slower than Invincible Star who led the Listed Starlight Stakes on the same program.

Nuclear Summit's easy trial win, prior to his debut, at Rosehill on November 19

Moore said the brother to stakeswinner Ef Troop is used to being worked off a lead horse and would like to see him make use of barrier three and sit just behind the speed.

“Looking at the speed map that might be the way to go,’’ he said.

“He has enough speed to lead them but I’d love to see him ridden off the speed. You go and say these things and all of a sudden they jump and lead on you.

“I’m confident he will perform a lot better, especially since he’s had a race, you have to forgive one bad run.’’

The popular trainer, known for his celebratory antics, is adamant he has a handy horse to open the Wyong program in Hostwin Saturn.

The gelding survived a protest to win on debut at Hawkesbury and if he maintains his unbeaten record in the BJP Plastering Handicap (1000m), where he's a $6 chance, he’ll be set for the Listed Gosford Guineas later this month.

Since that debut Hostwin Saturn has won another trial aimed at correcting some of the waywardness that almost cost him his first-up win.

“I think he’s a very good horse and I expected him to win first time out, not under those circumstances with a protest,’’ he said.

“But he’s shown ability since day one. I trialled him to make sure he was spot on for this race.’’

Moore has three other runners on the Wyong card – Classic Jade (race 3), Dashing Special (race 4) and Classic Princess (race 7).

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's meeting at Wyong