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DAN Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray are confident progressive galloper Thirsty Guest can atone for his last start defeat as an odds-on favourite in a heat of the Happy Trails Series at Morphettville on Saturday.

Nothing went to plan for the lightly raced four-year-old last start who never looked comfortable before he finished off strongly when the race was all over to finish second behind Midnight Mass.

"From the gate everything went wrong,'' Clarken said.

"As soon as he got a dig, he got on the bridle and lost his rhythm,'' he said.

Clarken said it wasn't the first time Thirsty Guest had raced keenly and failed to produce his best.

"He didn't pull up that well and he's done that before,'' Clarken said.

"He's the type of horse that if he gets up on the bridle, he can choke himself down,'' he said.

Despite the issues Clarken was still buoyed by the fact the horse got as close as he did.

"Late he was enormous…. And they run a really good closing sectional,'' Clarken said.

"He's a progressive horse and I really do like him,'' he said.

The stable has gone with a new jockey with leading hoop Jake Toeroek taking the reins on Saturday and Clarken said the big issue could the lack of tempo in the small field.

"I think the lack of speed could be an issue on Saturday,'' Clarken said.

"Jake is the best rider in the state at the moment and I really think he's a horse who will suit Jake,'' he said.