Old boy Pratt Street needs a Michael Rodd gem to overcome his wide alley on Sunday

Pratt Street has a horror outside draw at Kranji on Sunday night but trainer Stephen Gray is hoping the magic of top jockey Michael Rodd will help him overcome it.

Pratt Street will be Lincoln Farms’ first 2020 runner in Singapore and Gray says the horse is looking super and training well.

“I’ve kept him nice and fresh since his last good effort and I’m expecting a good race from him.”

Pratt Street showed there was still some life in his seven-year-old bones when he ran his best race for many months on December 8, rider Beau Mertens weaving a passage from last to run second, beaten less than a length by Golden Dash.

And it’s that powerful late finish which Gray hopes to see again in the seventh race on Sunday, a 1400 metre class five event on the grass track.

Pratt Street hasn’t won since August, 2017. PHOTO: Tripeaksimagery.While Pratt Street’s best efforts have been on the polytrack and he is only a two-race winner from 38 starts, Gray says he has slipped right back to a level at which he can score again.

“Having Michael Road on is a big plus - he’s the best here - and he’s great on those horses that need a bit of room.

“It’s just a shame that he’s got a prick of a barrier draw as you don’t know where he’ll end up because sometimes he’s not the best away.

“From 14 there’s no use digging him out and going crazy. We’ll probably look to slot in and see if he can get over the top.”

Pratt Street has been slow away in three of his last four starts, the only time he hasn’t given away crucial early ground when Rodd rode him into fifth two starts back.

Only one of five local tipsters select him to run a place in a field which sees a number of horses dropping in grade but he is the only one to have placed at his last start.

“The horse is going well. He just needs some luck and a good ride.”

Pratt Street’s last win was in August, 2017.