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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Samantha McGuren has her sights set on a new feature race at next month’s Grafton carnival with the consistent Fortyfive Parklane if he performs to expectation first-up at Murwillumbah on Sunday.

The six-year-old will have to carry 62.5kg after Zac Wadick’s claim in the Sky Thoroughbred Central Handicap (1010m) but McGuren said it couldn’t have been a better build up for what is a suitable target at this stage of the preparation.

He took on open company before a spell, running a close fourth, and won a Class 4 prior to that so a Benchmark 58 is a massive class drop.

“I think it’s a really nice race for him,’’ she said.

“We were a little concerned about the weight but he’s a pretty good horse and should be able to carry it, and it’s only 1000m.

“There’s a lot of pace in the race which should set it up for him, hopefully.”

Fortyfive Parklane has had 11 starts since McGuren picked him up, on the recommendation of her jockey husband Matthew, for four wins and all have come on his home track at Grafton.

So it’s natural she’d want to target the Grafton carnival and while Plan A was the John Carlton Cup next Sunday she says the newly named $50,000 Belflyer Class 6 (1175m) on July 13 is a nice consolation.

Fortyfive Parklane runs third in a Coffs Harbour trial on June 16

And after his third in a trial behind open class sprinters Aheadofhistime and Pace Stick she says there’s every reason to be confident.

“It was exactly what we wanted, just go to the line under a nice hold and he’s pulled up super from that,’’ McGuren said.

“You actually wouldn’t have known he went around. I think he’s a lot better horse this prep.

“The John Carlton was what I was aiming for originally but I didn’t think his benchmark would get him into the race so I thought I better have a new plan just in case.

“I think he will be hard to beat on Sunday, it’s a nice enough race for him and I’d like to see him competitive.”

Three-year-old Roman Rebel begins his second preparation from a wide gate in the White Claw Ladies Day Dash (1100m) and McGuren is hopeful he’s in for a handy winter.

The gelding won on debut before two midfield finishes and while he’s had no public trials the trainer said Roman Rebel has contested a couple of jump outs at home.

“He’s going all right, the barrier is obviously an issue but we might just ride him quiet and hopefully he can hit the line,’’ she said.

“He’s a nice progressive horse and he’ll be better again this prep.”

McGuren requires one more scratching for Mind My Mimosa to gain a start in the Riverview Hotel Handicap (1550m) and sees some upside despite the gelding being unplaced in all five starts.

It was an improved showing when beaten under four lengths at Ballina just under two weeks ago and he steps up in distance.

“His last run was actually really nice. He’s not the biggest animal, I didn’t think I’d get him this far into his prep off his size but after that run it brought him on,’’ she said.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Murwillumbah meeting