Clint Lundholm is excited by Conspirator's potential but incredibly frustrated at the same time.
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It's not a common situation to be in.
The Dubbo trainer knows he's got a horse of considerable potential on his hands but the three-year-old's casual nature and laidback approach to work makes it hard to get a real read on him.
The results speak for themselves though, with two wins and a placing recorded in four career starts.
The one time he missed out came in a Highway event and Lundholm heads back to the city this weekend, with Conspirator to contest the $75,000 Sky Racing Active Highway Handicap (1100m).
It's one of two Highway events at Randwick on Saturday, with the other featuring another Dubbo hope in Kody Nestor's Bellsov Bourke.
Both are among the main chances in their respective races and both have one eye on March's Country Championships Qualifier at Coonamble.
"I've had one eye on that ever since we started with him, try and progress through the grades and not over-tax him," Lundholm said of Conspirator, who won on debut at Dubbo on November 2.
"March was a long way away from that first start. We've tried to space out the runs so he doesn't go sour or want to go to the paddock and so far so good.
"We'll have a look on Saturday and if all goes well we'll keep working towards that."
Everything points to a strong run in the Highway and Lundholm has no doubts Conspirator can get out to more ground in the future.
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Conspirator produced the best performance of his fledgling career last time out, scoring a commanding three-length win in an 1100m event at his home track.
It was one which made a number of people sit up and take notice and it came four weeks after the Rosehill run.
Lundholm has kept the chestnut gelding fresh again ahead of Saturday's event.
"He's getting better with every start," the trainer said.
"He's a bit slow out still but last time he showed good speed and got out of trouble.
"He's only three and only had the four starts but he's learning more every start."
Despite the promising and improving performances, Conspirator is still hard to get a read on at times.
Ever since Lundholm started working with the progeny of Crowded House and Bellsonic he's been laidback, the trainer going as far as saying he could allow his five-year-old daughter to lead him around.
"It can just be frustrating because you don't know how well he's going," Lundholm said.
"He's like an old soul, he's so easygoing.
"He does nothing on the track and he's pretty casual. [Last time at Rosehill] He settled in and ate and you wouldn't have known he spent five hours on the float.
"It doesn't seem to worry him and I'm confident he'll travel and think he's a great chance.
Conspirator was a $7.50 chance early on Thursday and he'll jump from gate one with Nash Rawiller on his back on Saturday.
Luke Pepper's Affinity Beyond ($3) and the Aiden St Vincent-trained Hellenism ($3.20) were the early favourites.
Nestor's Bellszov Bourke, to be ridden by Anthony Cavallo, was a $5.50 hope for the first Highway event on Saturday and sat on the third line of betting behind Mr Wong ($4.20).
Racing starts 1.15pm on Saturday with the Highway races the second and third events on the card.