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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Annabel Neasham isn’t sure where the buzz around promising four-year-old Equation is coming from but she hopes it’s right as he returns at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Annabel Neasham (Pic: Grant Guy)

Whether it’s the James McDonald factor or the picket fence against his name from last prep or the talk of potentially being considered by owners Aquis for its TAB Everest slot, Neasham said if he does live up to the market expectation he’ll be in for a big spring.

At this stage the target race is the $7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) on October 30 and the Warwick Farm trainer revealed Equation has had a jump out at home.

“He’s going to come on and I think he is better over that little bit of extra distance but we have J-Mac and drawn a nice gate in a big field so I’m excited about getting him back,’’ she said.

“He’s been working well, to be honest I’m surprised how short he is in the market for a horse that hasn’t had a public trial.

“He’s really strengthened up, he was a bit of a frame last time but he’s filled into that. I always thought he would be better again once he developed, he looks a different horse now and his work is suggesting the same.”

Equation has won four of his five starts and all three since joining Neasham, he hasn’t raced since winning the Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) back on March 8.

He was $3.60 with TAB on Friday to keep that streak going in the Heineken Handicap (1100m) and it’s clear while the trainer isn’t outwardly bullish that she does have a high opinion of the entire.

“His work suggests he’s kept that level of form or could even go on with it,’’ she said.

“We’ve got to see it on race day, I’m mindful he is first-up and we haven’t had a trip away from home or a proper trial.

“It’s one of the strongest Benchmark 88s we’ve had in a while. If he can win first-up without a trial we will know we are in for a good prep.”

At this stage Neasham plans to head to the Silver Eagle (1300m) on October 9 where the first three home gain exemption into the Golden Eagle.

With the deeds of Zaaki in the background there’s sure to be interest in Neasham’s latest import Numerian as he makes his local debut in the Group 3 $160,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).

The six-year-old has won three from 21 and did beat Sir Dragonet in a Listed race in March 2020. More recently he ran third in a Warwick Farm trial and Saturday’s race will be a learning opportunity.

“He’s a nice horse, he’s going to want to get over a bit more ground so this is a starting point,’’ Neasham said.

Equation wins the Canberra Guineas in March

“If he runs well and pulls up well he might sneak into the Epsom with a nice weight.

“Hopefully being in a different climate he might have more speed in his legs. He will definitely come on for whatever he does and so long as I’m seeing him hitting the line I’ll go home happy.”

The horse that won Numerian’s trial is new stablemate Fourhometwo who Neasham said would have made his debut in the Bill Ritchie but a setback will change his preparation for the Golden Eagle.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting