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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Brenton Avdulla is adamant a soft or better track would give Profondo a realistic chance of knocking over heavyweights Anamoe and Zaaki in Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Fujitsu General George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Jockey Brenton Avdulla (Pic: Steve Hart)

He points straight to the four-year-old’s luckless first-up third behind Anamoe on a soft 5 in the Winx Stakes (1400m) as evidence Profondo has made the transition to weight-for-age.

And to his last start fourth behind Zaaki on a heavy 10 as reason to be concerned if he struck such testing ground in the George Main.

“As soon as I let him off the chain his wheels spun,’’ Avdulla said.

“I’m hoping the track dries out for Saturday because I’ve got no doubt if he gets a good track and a bit of luck he can run a big race. He deserves his chance.”

Despite his status as a Group 1 winner, Profondo is still on a learning curve with just seven starts to his name – five of them at Group 1 level.

He started a $6 chance against Zaaki in the Tramway but was $18 with TAB on Thursday with both Zaaki and Anamoe standing in his way.

Avdulla recognises the job ahead but in his two rides on the Richard Litt-trained entire he has every reason to think he’s capable of being competitive.

“I’ve had nothing to do with him before this preparation but he’s always shown good ability,’’ he said.

“He’s definitely got X-Factor, he’s a Group 1 winner and a Group 1 horse but he needs a bit of luck at this level.

“It’s a big challenge but I thought he should have gone close to (Anamoe) first-up, he was three wide no cover and Anamoe had a soft run. So I’d expect him to run well.”

Eduardo is one horse who wouldn’t complain about a wet track if that’s what eventuates given his explosive first-up win two weeks ago as it would be a small advantage to take into another clash with Nature Strip.

It’s not just Nature Strip that the nine-year-old has to deal with in the Group 2 $1 million Bowermans Shorts (1100m) – the top six in the betting for the TAB Everest are all set to meet in a mouth-watering preview to the $15 million pinnacle.

Of course, Avdulla is warming the saddle for the suspended Nash Rawiller on Eduardo.

“I’ve had one spin on him before and ran third on him in a TJ,’’ Avdulla said.

“I’ve trialled him a few times and had a bit to do with him. Joe (Pride) has got him in good order, he keeps getting better with age and I expect him to run well.”

Eduardo wins the Concorde Stakes

The gelding gave his rivals weight and a beating in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) two weeks ago and The Shorts will be his final start prior to the TAB Everest next month.

What Avdulla can be confident about is that Eduardo has a fitness edge, proven he’s come back in good form and has yet to be beaten by Nature Strip when they’ve clashed in Sydney at 1000m or 1100m.

“He won well first-up. It’s a hard race, he’s going to need everything to go right for him but he’s one of the best sprinters in the country,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Royal Randwick meeting