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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Jay Ford says every time Golden Straand has stepped out he’s been a better version of himself and he’s hoping that trend continues as he faces a tougher task at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Jay Ford (Pic: Steve Hart)

The Matthew Smith-trained gelding posted a track record when he won over 1200m at Warwick Farm last start and Ford said the performance was an example of how he goes up a notch with each run.

Ford said Golden Straand, $6 with TAB on Friday, has the attributes he needs to offset a tricky barrier and if he executes well he’ll be more than competitive again.

“He’s going to need to be at his best from that wide gate,’’ he said.

“I think he’s going to be better again in the future because essentially this is his first preparation.

“He’s a lovely horse, he’s honing his race craft all the time.

“His last two he’s really executed his races nicely and started to get all the one percenters right. He was lacking that early in his career.”

The four-year-old has enjoyed easy runs just off the lead in his wins over 1200m at Rosehill and Warwick Farm in October and Ford said he won’t be changing too much.

The 1300m doesn’t hold any fears for Ford, he was runner-up at the trip at Rosehill at his third race start and as Ford indicated he’s a better horse now.

He said Golden Straand has good natural speed and that’s a good asset to have on his side.

“Matt’s always had a high opinion of him and as he’s gone on he’s shown bits and pieces of brilliance but got a few things wrong,’’ Ford said.

“He’d get hot and worked up pre-race but he’s putting that all together and we’ve seen that in his last couple of outings.

“He never used to be a good beginner but he’s getting out of the gates well now. He’s got a natural cruising speed that puts himself in quite a forward position.

“I don’t mind the fact he’s drawn where he is with the style of horse he is, he likes to flow along.

“It’s a matter of what pressure is underneath him and wants to kick up. He’s going to take up a prominent role, regardless of where he drew he’s going to be close to the action.”

Ford is looking forward to riding Tavi Time in Tuesday’s $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick confident he’s ready after two runs back from a spell.

The Scone Cup winner finished fifth behind early Big Dance favourite Headley Grange in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago.

“He’s trending the right way and he should run really well,’’ he said.

“Both his runs back have been really good, he had a big weight at Newcastle and then improved again the other day at Rosehill and finished just over a length off Headley Grange.

Golden Straand wins at Warwick Farm on October 15

“He’s ticking over nicely, he ran fourth in it last year so he’s the right credentialed horse for a race like that.”

Tavi Time had 53kg in the race last year and will carry 57kg on Tuesday.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Golden Eagle meeting at Randwick