A preparation ago, Rain Affair had the talent but didn’t have the looks.

Now he is the complete package.

Well, almost.

“The best thing about this horse is he’s going to keep improving and I don’t just mean this preparation but next preparation he’s going to be a better horse again,” trainer Joe Pride said.

“He’s still hasn’t fully matured but he’s finally getting there.

“He’s only just turned four and I think he will be at his best in his fifth or sixth year of racing.”

It’s a good wrap considering Rain Affair has won eight of his nine starts, two of those at stakes level.

Despite his imposing record, Pride says Rain Affair has never really looked the part and he has been amazed by the physical transformation in the four-year-old, who is the odds-on favourite to win a star-studded Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

“When people see him on Saturday, he’s got that wow factor about him now,” Pride said.

“He used to look a bit weak, he never looked that good in the coat.

“In short, he just looks a lot better now than what he ever has.

“He’s pretty daunting to look at for his opposition. I reckon he might scare a few of them off.”

That opposition will include Group One winners Rangirangdoo, Shoot Out, Danleigh, Sniper’s Bullet and Rain Affair’s stablemate Sacred Choice.

While the bulk are either resuming or getting ready for longer races, Pride admits the Expressway field will be the toughest Rain Affair has faced.

And while he is confident the gelding will win, he believes the $1.65 favourite is under the odds given the quality of his rivals.

“I still think it’s a silly price. As good as the horse is, this is the best opposition he’s ever met,” Pride said.

“I think they deserve a little bit more respect than that.

“But it is what it is. He doesn’t know what price he is.”

Rain Affair goes into the Expressway second-up after claiming the Listed Carrington Stakes on January 2 and has had a subsequent trial to keep him up to the mark .

“He’s done plenty of work. He’s more than ready for Saturday’s assignment,” Pride said.

High-class mare Sacred Choice is also pleasing Pride ahead of her Expressway return.

“It’s the beginning of a long preparation for her,” he said.

“I’m not sure that the rain brings her into calculations but a bit should see her finish in the first half of the field.”