Trainer David Jolly is confident that his star galloper Budriguez can improve on his disappointing first-up effort when he contests the Listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Budriguez will be looking to improve on his Spring Stakes effort in the Penny Edition Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Budriguez started his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on August 10 and failed to run up to his best form, finishing towards the tail of the field in seventh.

Jolly told The Advertiser that he was satisfied with the first-up effort but believes the son of Al Maher has plenty of improvement in front of him when he headlines the Penny Edition Stakes this weekend.

“He probably ran about as expected, they were a bit sharp for him and he doesn’t enjoy the wet track,” Jolly said.

“He’s improved and he’ll probably run better because it’s over further and on the inner track, but there are probably a couple of horses more capable on the wet than him.

“He’s a horse who takes a few runs to get rock-hard fit, so we’re happy to let him cruise around and get there at home before taking him over to Melbourne.”

Budriguez proved he was up to Group standard in Melbourne during an impressive Autumn Racing Carnival campaign in which he scored three wins from four starts.

The seven-year-old made his Melbourne racing debut with a victory in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) and followed that up with a strong third behind Foreteller in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m).

Budriguez really made his name when he dead-heated with 2013 Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune to win the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and finished his preparation with another triumph in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m).

Jolly has not decided on the path Budriguez will take in Melbourne but he has included the four-time Group winner in the nominations for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).