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By Ray Hickson

If consistent five-year-old Heza Gentleman performs to co-trainer Mitch Kearney’s expectations in the Precise Air Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Monday, his connections have prepared a Four Pillars offer for slot holders.

Kearney said that offer is a five per cent share in the horse for his next 10 starts at no cost, with an option to continue racing him afterwards.

A total of 212 nominations were taken for the $700,000 Four Pillars (1500m) run on October 30, that’s a strong show of support for the new race from owners and trainers and Kearney said, like everyone else, they are keen to be a part of it.

But it also means it's very competitive.

“That’s the target and if we were to gain a slot that would be unreal,’’ Kearney said.

“He’s a homebred horse, he’s as honest as the day is long. He has good form on wet tracks but he goes just as well on a firmer surface.

“He’s not a real sit and sprint type of horse, he runs along and has a high cruising speed. He tries to break their hearts.

Heza Gentleman wins at Kensington on August 25

“If he was to be chosen you know what you’re going to get with him, he’s honest and puts in every time he goes around.”

Mitchell and partner Desiree work 10 horses at Hawkesbury and in recent months have been instrumental in helping other stables, particularly Bjorn Baker, with strapping horses on race day due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Heza Gentleman, $26 with TAB on Sunday, recorded back-to-back wins in August in the Dubbo Cup Prelude and a Benchmark 72 race at Kensington and has been freshened up since his last start eighth in the Dubbo Cup (1600m) three weeks ago.

There were excuses for that performance, Kearney said, and the gelding has won a barrier trial on his home track since then.

In a strong race he said it would be a good advertisement for the horse if he can be in the finish.

“He drew awkward and in hindsight we should have stayed home,’’ he said.

“He was deep the trip, he could have finished a bit closer if he wasn’t tightened up about the 150m and Alysha (Collett) looked after him after that.

“He’s trialled well last Monday and we’re really happy with the way he’s come through the trial and going forward to the race. He’s had a super prep, a lot of placings and a couple of wins, we’re stoked with him.”

Kearney said if Heza Gentleman was to gain a start in the Four Pillars the plan is to trial the horse again to ensure he’s at his top for the race at the end of the month.

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's meeting at Warwick Farm