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Astute Canberra trainer Matthew Dale admits to an experimental gear change with Vavavic at Goulburn tomorrow.

The three-year-old will be without the ‘shades’ for the first time in five starts when he lines up in the Boys Day Out April 1 Class 1 Hcp (1200m).

“Last preparation we thought he was getting a bit one dimensional,” Dale said. “We’re hoping he can get further and at this stage we’re giving him the benefit of the doubt.

“We’ll reassess after tomorrow.”

Vavavic, a $20,000 Classic Sale yearling purchase part owned by restaurant owner Dan Gaul and Vic Elvin who runs a large concreting business in Canberra, has a record of a win and two placings from five starts.

“He’s shown ability in both preparations,” Dale added. “We think he’ll get further than 1200 metres. Taking the blinkers off will hopefully get him to settle better.”

By Nadeem, the gelding hasn’t raced for 203-days since finishing third in a Class 1 to Exotic Escape and Candy Tuft over 1206m at Canberra on August 3.

Vavavic scored first-up last campaign in a 1080m maiden on his home track when leading throughout.

Dale said the three-year-old had returned from the break in good order and had had two jump outs, without blinkers, to fit him for Goulburn.

“He’s had a couple of jump outs and while he hasn’t won, he’s hit the line good,” Dale added. “The idea without the blinkers is to ride him a bit more conservatively and see if he’ll settle better.

“He’s shown he can do that in both jump outs.

“He’s a tractable type, basically a standard run of the mill gelding, not big, not small.

“He does what he has to and does what he’s supposed to.

“We’re hoping he can get a softish run tomorrow and hit the line.

“He’s ticking over well.”

Brendan Ward has the mount, with Vavavic launching from barrier seven.