Speedy galloper Favela Star can bounce back to his best form in today's rich XXXX Gold Newmarket Handicap at Rockhampton.
Prepared at Eagle Farm by Liam Birchley, Favela Star has a “duck-egg” next to his name from last start but from an ideal gate here in easier grade he will take running down.
At the end of his spring campaign, the gelding raced on the speed throughout to win over 1200m in heavy ground at Eagle Farm and record a career high rating.
He went for a long break so took a couple of runs to return to fitness but third-up over 1200m at Eagle Farm, in slow conditions, he sat outside the lead.
Was able to be well rated there before kicking clear at the 300m and hanging on for a half head win.
That took his master rating to another career best.
Next starts was at Doomben where he drew wide and sat outside the leader after working to get there.
Hitting the front over the final furlong, he weakened late to finish 10th.
Given a few weeks between runs but kept up to the mark with a trial, he returned to 1200m at Doomben and again drew wide.
He went straight to the front from the second to outside gate and was taken on in the lead, but kicked away and won easily by over three in an excellent effort.
That was a clear career best figure.
Stepping up to 1350m at Doomben last time he yet again drew wide.
After showing his usual pace early he couldn't cross until the 800m mark.
He tried to kick on the bend but the early effort told and he weakened to finish 10th, beaten 3.5 lengths.
Today he comes back 50m in journey which doesn't sound like much but will certainly help, and he meets an easier class here.
He carries the same light weight but the apprentice has been replaced by senior NSW jockey Robert Thompson.
But most importantly he has finally drawn a gate in barrier five.
From there he will be straight on the speed and if he can reproduce his effort from two back he'll be hard to beat in this.
Mackay trainer Darryl Hansen has a strong hand in the race and should go close with Essington and Perugin Thought.
Essington is the hot favourite for the race and he'll be hard to beat fresh-up.
Formerly owned by Lloyd Williams and trained by Robert Hickmott, Essington has won five races for Hansen and last time he resumed was over 1200m at Eagle Farm where he ran away with a five length win.
He backed that up with a Listed win in the Falvelon Quality at Eagle Farm before placing at his next two in Brisbane before a spell.
Fresh-up the gelding has raced three times for his big win and two placings and comes into this race with excellent credentials on his early autumn form.
The only query is the 1300m fresh with 59kg, as an even money shot. It's pretty skinny odds.
Stablemate Perugin Thought has drawn wide but will be coming home hard.
The gelding was narrowly beaten fresh then beaten less than a length behind Gundy Son in the Listed Chief De Beers.
At Doomben last time he ran on for a close-up fourth, again beaten less than a length.
That's good form for this as he drops in weight and will need a bit of luck but should be winding up.
Helideck has been a little hard to follow but on his best figurrs can feature at odds, while localy hope Red Story will be fitter for his fresh-up fifth here last time and will be running on strongly.
