Luke Fernie says he takes great confidence out of Excellent Dream's first up run when he ran Comes A Time to a short half-head second in the Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) at Belmont two weeks ago.
Comes A Time has been one of the stars of the Belmont Park winter season and gave Fernie further cause for optimism by taking out the Listed Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) last Saturday.
Aiming to land his first win with Excellent Dream following previous stints under Justin Warwick, Lindsey Smith and Simon Miller, Fernie says Excellent Dream is spot on for Kalgoorlie's premier sprint race.
"I'm really happy with him at the moment and his work on Saturday was probably the best he's ever produced," Fernie told Tabradio.
"He's ticking all the right boxes for me and he should be hard to beat on his last start.
"I'm hoping it wasn't a fluke and he can reproduce the same type of run.
"The form reference behind Comes A Time should probably hold up really well on Thursday you would imagine."
In a field of 13 starters, Excellent Dream will start from the widest gate. The six-year-old gelding will be ridden by regular rider, Holly Watson. He carries the 54kg minimum.
Fernie admits Excellent Dream's wide starting position is cause for concern.
"I didn't think there was much speed in the race, but there is always five or six that push up and be handy to the speed," Fernie said.
"My only query that I have with him is if they do go a little bit steadier than what he needs, where he ends up could be a little bit tricky."
While rating Excellent Dream his best hope of winning the Hannans, Fernie gives stablemate Outrageous a solid push to improve on recent outings.
The former Sydney galloper ran a bold fifth in last year's Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and then placed fourth in the Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) in January.
But he's two runs this preparation have been underwhelming when unplaced on rain affected ground in the Bolton Sprint (1200m) and Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m).
Fernie homes a firm track in Kalgoorlie can bring about a reversal of form.
"Outrageous is a very good horse, but just hasn't been able to be at his best," Fernie said.
"I'm just hoping and putting it down to the wet tracks.
"I'd like to see him improve because he has run some super races for us.
"He's going a lot better than his form reads.
"The track in Kalgoorlie is always rock hard so he won't have that excuse this week."
Outrageous, with equal top weight of 58kg, has drawn barrier 12 for Jordan Turner.
Excellent Dream is currently rated a $13 chance on Tabtouch, Outrageous is $34.
