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By Ray Hickson

A phone call from his father after November Falls was narrowly beaten two weeks ago could be the catalyst for Mitchell Beer’s honest mare to post an important city win at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Mitchell Beer

After watching “from the couch”, Les Beer picked up the phone and suggested to his son that the four-year-old could benefit from a subtle gear change when she steps out in the Midway Handicap (1600m).

“Normally dad being an ex-jockey and ex-trainer he’s always got some ideas and there’s nothing like training them from the couch,’’ Beer said.

“But he said something I went home and thought about all night.

“He just thought the last two times that one has got to her she hasn’t seen them coming, and it wasn’t until the last minute she realised they were there. He said ‘have you thought about taking blinkers off and putting visors on’.

“I thought it made so much sense, so I’ve done that. I thought it was a great idea.

"She gets out and rolls along, they’ve nabbed her late but she’s been strong again when they got to her.”

November Falls, $3.30 with TAB on Thursday, is also sporting another 'gear' change – James McDonald on.

Now Beer said that’s no slight on Rachel King who has been the mare’s regular rider of late but a more important date in the UK this week (her wedding) meant she’s not available.

McDonald’s presence raises market expectations on anything he rides but Beer said connections are rapt to have the champion hoop play substitute.

“When someone who has been riding can’t ride it, you start at the top and work down,’’ he said.

“When you put JMac down at the acceptances, with owners it’s like they’ve already won.

“They get a big thrill out of having someone like him ride the horse but it’s good that he wants to ride her.

“It’s important for her to be a city winner, she has a great pedigree and has gone close a few times.”

Beer said there was no much merit in November Falls’ last start second behind Decadent Tale.

There were three 1600m races on the day and the Midway was run easily the fastest, it was run almost two lengths faster than the open handicap won by Ruby Flyer and about four lengths faster than the Benchmark 78 won by Bright Red.

“It backed up her first one. Sometimes you see these horses go to Midway range and run out of their skin but they also go back to a 64 at the provincials and run third as well,’’ Beer said.

November Falls runs second at Randwick on June 8

“I thought her second run in a Midway was a heap more impressive than her first. She had every right to concede.

“The time they ran in that Midway was insane. I think she finds a similar race.”

Meanwhile, Bob Charley AO Stakes winner Mnementh will next appear in Saturday’s week’s Group 3 Healy Stakes in Queensland on his way to next month’s Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.

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