Essay Raider's scratching may work against Petman's chances: Hyam Petman, right, ridden by Troy Baker, enjoys a win against Jessica Rose. JOHN Hyam believes the scratching of pre-post favourite Essay Raider may work against Petman's first-up chances at Morphettville on Saturday. Essay Raider was scratched on Friday in preference for Flemington and the likelihood of a speed battle between the enigmatic four-year-old and veteran speedster Periduki would have been ideal for Petman, who will have his first run since June. "I think Periduki would have put plenty of pressure on if they rode him (Essay Raider) the same as last time (when he bolted in)," Hyam said on Friday from Melbourne. Periduki looks likely to get a softer lead now, but he'll still roll along. Hyam said the highly-rated Petman had come back in good order and was topped off for his return with a recent trial behind Tony McEvoy's talented import Big Memory. "He's had a couple of jump outs and won them pretty comfortably," Hyam added. He had a trail the other day and I said to Troy (Baker, jockey) not to knock him around. He's come through that very well. Hyam said Petman's main target this campaign would come in the festive season in the form of the Listed Christmas Handicap at Morphettville. "The main goal is the Christmas (Handicap)," Hyam said,. He probably should have went to the paddock a little early last time, but he'll go to the Christmas third-up and that should be perfect for him. Meanwhile Leon Macdonald is hoping the Flemington straight will be a bonus for Essay Raider who comes off an emphatic 6.3 length Adelaide win when he steps out in the $300,000 Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes at Flemington. "Even his last start when he won so well, he got a bit lost on the turn so I am keen to see him on the straight," Macdonald said.