Unanimously will be given the chance to win his first Melbourne start in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Unanimously placed second at Moonee Valley earlier this month. Photo by: Steve Hart

The five-year-old gelding has had three attempts at claiming victory in Victoria, however, has never been able to come through with the goods.

Unanimously wasn’t far away in his latest attempt, finishing second in the $80,000 William Martin Harvey Sprint Handicap at Moonee Valley earlier this month.

Trainer Matthew Dale is hopeful that Saturday’s race will mark a change in luck for the Not A Single Doubt gelding.

“His runs have been very good down in Melbourne, it’s just been circumstances that have beaten him,” Dale said.

“Saturday is tougher than last start but he is better placed with the experience around Moonee Valley, a better barrier and being third-up.

“His best runs last campaign were his third and fourth runs back.”

Dale insists Unanimously has improved since his first-up run this preparation, when he finished ninth of 12 runners at Rosehill Gardens.

“He wasn’t allowed to roll along like he usually does first-up. He was restrained and he fought for his head,” Dale said.

“You can put a line through the run.”

Unanimously has been a solid performer for Dale, winning six of his 22 race starts and earning more than $320,000 in prize money.

His best result was a win in the Listed Canterbury Classic in New South Wales in January this year, where he beat the likes of Eight Bills, Sniper’s Bullet and News Alert to the post.

Jockey Steven Arnold will be aboard Unanimously for his Carlyon Stakes run this weekend.

This will be the first time that Dale has requested the assistance of Arnold, who was a favourite amongst Unanimously’s owners.

“He’s the owners’ number one choice so he was the first person I rang. He’s never ridden for me at all,” Dale said.