Trainers Tom Dabernig and David Hayes are confident they have discovered the key to getting the best out of late bloomer Cross Of Gold.

Cross Of Gold won twice in his first 25 starts while notching many disappointing runs in a career that featured a Group Three placing at just his second start.

However, the $925,000 yearling has won twice and placed twice in his past four outings to convince the newly formed training partnership it has Cross Of Gold right for latest attempt at a maiden city win.

The six-year-old’s challenge will be taking his form from the Geelong synthetic track, the scene of all his wins, to the turf in Saturday’s Philip Hogan & Olga Nield Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.

Dabernig says the transition to a grass track will not be a problem for Cross Of Gold, who is enjoying his racing courtesy of a change in his work routine.

“We keep him fresh in between races and that helps him,” Dabernig said.

“If you tighten the screws on him too much, he doesn’t seem to race as well. He loves the farm environment. We have worked him out and he’s racing well.”

Michael Walker has partnered Cross Of Gold at his last four starts and he will have simple instructions at Flemington.

“We just thought at Flemington, if he gets cover, and gets produced late, he can produce a big finish,” Dabernig said.

Bookmakers have Cross Of Gold as a $13 chance while another resurgent galloper, the Darren Weir-trained Clevadude, has firmed from $7.50 into $4.80.

Clevadude showed promise early in his career with three wins from his first four starts before recording one placing from his last eight starts for Rick Hore-Lacy.

He scored a dominant win at Warracknabeal at his first start for Weir on July 22.