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By Ray Hickson

A string of placings and close calls last preparation tell trainer Edward O’Rourke not much has to go right for Iron Man to post an overdue win at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

O’Rourke can see plenty of positives for the consistent galloper - home track, soft ground and a draw off the fence – and says if he can get a genuine enough tempo in the Clarendon Tavern Handicap (1100m) he should have no excuses.

There were excuses for the five-year-old when he resumed at 1200m at Randwick two weeks ago, beaten 1-1/4 lengths by Need Some Luck, so he’d like to avenge that defeat.

“He was just very stiff the last day, fingers crossed he can run a big race,’’ he said.

Trainer Edward O'Rourke

“I was pretty confident first-up and he was stiff, he ran into some traffic.

“The horse is really good, he’s good second-up and he’s come through that first-up run well so I’m happy with him.

“I thought there would be a bit more speed coming back to 1100m, but there’s not a great deal on paper.”

Iron Man, $3.70 with TAB on Thursday, started what would be a lengthy preparation in June last winter with two wins, including one over now Group 3 winner Willaidow, but as the spring arrived he would notch five placings from his next eight starts.

Two of them by well under half a length.

O’Rourke said he has no doubt Iron Man hasn’t yet reached his ceiling, with just 19 starts under his belt, and his record can improve if the breaks can go with him instead of against him.

“He’s never been beaten that far and he’s always thereabouts, I think there’s more to come from him,’’ he said.

“I think he can go higher (in grade), he just needs a bit of luck in running.

“We just need a few things go his way. He’s the sort of horse who tends to be a bit more unlucky than lucky.

“The sting out of the track would be the biggest thing for him. We’ve drawn a bit wider which is good so he can get a bit of clear air.

“Some of his best runs have been when he’s been able to come down the outside.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Hawkesbury meeting