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Kiwi star He's Remarkable is on target to tackle the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket first-up at Broadmeadow on March 21.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Trainer Roger James confirmed his Newcastle plans after He's Remarkable made his first public appearance since his controversial Perth campaign in November in an exhibition gallop at Matamata on Saturday.
Ridden by Jason Waddell for the first time, He's Remarkable pleased James with his work over 1000m on a slow surface.
He's Remarkable hasn't raced since he was relegated from first on protest in the G1 Railway Stakes at Ascot in November, a result that led to his owners challenging the stewards decision but eventually denied the opportunity to appeal by WA authorities.
James plans to give He's Remarkable another exhibition gallop in NZ before he ships the four-year-old to Sydney for his autumn campaign aimed at the $2 million Doncaster Mile over 1600m at Randwick on April 21.
James has had He's Remarkable in work since late December and feels he doesn't need a barrier trial before he resumes in the Newmarket (1400m) at Newcastle.
The Newmarket is also a new autumn option for classy Queensland sprinter Essington after he missed a planned start on Saturday with the washout of the Eagle Farm meeting in Brisbane.
Trainer Toby Edmonds now intended giving Essington a barrier trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday but those trials have been transferred to Thursday.
He has to decide if he heads to Canberra for the National Sprint (1400) at the Black Opal meeting on March 11 or stays home for the rescheduled Falvelon Handicap in Brisbane on Saturday.
"I can barrier trial him and take him to Canberra or he can run in the Falvelon and then go down for the Newmarket," Edmonds said.
Edmonds also suggested he could go to Canberra and then back up in the Newmarket 10 days after the National Sprint.
Essington has raced once for Edmonds for an eye-catching fourth to Mr Armstrong over 1200m at Eagle Farm on February 11 after he missed the start.
Edmonds intends to remove the blinkers and tongue-tie from Essington at his next start.
Essington was previously trained by Darryl Hansen, who is currently serving a six months disqualification.