It’s a challenging task to enhance a horse that has passed through the stables of renowned Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Ballarat trainer Patrick Kearney is currently focused on this objective with Chief Little Rock, a former galloper owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams, who also had a spell with Anthony and Sam Freedman.

Kearney acquired Chief Little Rock for $40,000 from an Inglis Digital Sale. The stayer is scheduled to participate in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (2500m) this Saturday, representing his fourth start under Kearney’s tutelage.

Kearney described Chief Little Rock as a ‘project horse,’ with no significant immediate goals, though a tilt at the Tasmanian Summer Carnival early next year is on the trainer’s radar.

“This preparation we’re just working him out and spending time, finding his groove, and then next prep hopefully will be the making of him,” Kearney explained.

“He’ll probably go down to Tasmania for the Cups if he’s showing enough ability to be able to do that.

“He does have the ability. He was always going to be a project to see if we could find it (form) and find the bottom of the horse.

“He was brought over here with higher expectations which he hasn’t exceeded too yet.

“Hopefully we can get him right and eventually he can run in some of these nice races.”

Chief Little Rock’s initial two runs for Kearney at Flemington saw him comfortably beaten, but a subsequent hurdle school led to an improved showing at Sandown on August 22.

“He’s a tricky horse to ride,” Kearney stated.

“He’s very strong and doesn’t know how to come back.

“He was a pacemaker over in Ireland for Aidan O’Brien and we’re trying to do the complete opposite with him and get him to relax and chill out.

“He went so hard at Flemington the second time that I thought it would be best to give him a school over the hurdles to see it could bring him back a bit.

“He was excellent at it. It was good to see that as it is a possible back-up plan for the future if need be.”

The gelding, who secured Group 3 success in Ireland and three further Stakes placings in Europe, faces a burden of 62kg on Saturday.

Kearney noted that using a claimer would have been a logical choice for the gelding, but he has instead opted for jockey Jason Holder.

“We had the option to claim with the massive eight kilo weight difference,” Kearney elaborated.

“But if I went over there and put an apprentice on that didn’t really know him, it would be suicide, so going with the leading rider over there, is probably the best option.

“This preparation is all about the project and the planning and seeing where he is at and what he needs to do.”

Explore available sports betting options for the upcoming race at Morphettville.