Trainer Chris Gangemi is confident he has Werd at peak fitness for the $80,000 Listed Goodwood Sprint (1300m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Werd, at his third start this preparation, was unplaced in the Beaufine Stakes (1000m) and the Belmont Newmarket (1200m).
“He has taken a few runs to get fit this time in,” said Gangemi on Racing Radio.
“He is obviously a bit older and it’s taken a bit of work to get him to his top.
“I think he is just about there now.”
Werd has notched 10 wins from 42 starts and is fast closing in on half-a-million dollars in stake earnings, but has yet to salute beyond 1250m.
Jarrad Noske, who father Jeff won the Goodwood Sprint in 1997, will ride Werd from barrier five.
“Most people think he can’t get 1300m but if he relaxes early he will,” said Gangemi.
“He just got beaten a head over 1400m in the Belmont Sprint.
“If Jarrad can cover him to the furlong I’m sure he will be right there in the finish.”
Gangemi will consider adopting a change of tactics for noted speedster Culprit in the Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1200m).
Culprit, second in two starts this preparation, has just been run down by promising types The Rising and Jestpatim.
“He has been stiff to run into two very promising three-year-olds,” said Gangemi.
“We will get a bit of weight against Jestpatim which we will need because he is obviously a classy horse.
“We might try something different on Saturday and if someone wants to lead they can and we will take a trail and sit in the box seat.”