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By Ray Hickson

Eight Midways have already fallen Kristen Buchanan’s way but you get the impression if Oakfield Duke can make it nine at Randwick on Saturday it would give the Wyong trainer immense satisfaction.

Trainer Kristen Buchanan (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The stunning grey gelding has been on the sidelines for almost six months after it was discovered he needed a throat operation following a shock failure at Rosehill back in January.

Buchanan said discovering a horse has any problem is not pleasant but was relieved when it was determined Oakfield Duke’s issue was repairable.

“We discovered last prep that he had an epiglottal entrapment so we needed to fix that,’’ she said.

“His last run was confounding but his airway was restricted so it made sense.

“We trialled him afterwards to work out what was going on and he was making a noise so that’s why he’s been off the scene.”

Oakfield Duke, $9 with TAB on Friday, has raced eight times for four wins and so far his two unplaced runs have come in Midway company but with excuses in both.

He started last campaign with a game third behind Garrison and Essonne over the same course as Saturday’s Midway Handicap (1100m) and while his latest trial wasn’t as eye-catching as the four-year-old usually produces it doesn’t concern the trainer.

“His last trial I suppose was moderate but they ran some time, they ran 32.9 for the last 600m and Koby (Jennings) didn’t knock him around,’’ she said.

“He had to get ready to race, not win trials. I’m really pleased with him and he’s drawn a nice gate.

“He’s impressive at home and I hope it translates to the racetrack again.

“I think he can be very competitive, he’s a good chance. He looks to get a nice run in transit, with a bit of speed on, and he can get a nice cart into it.”

Buchanan, who won last week's Midway with Oakfield Waratah, said she’s not yet ready to use a claiming apprentice on the gelding given what transpired last preparation but using Jennings, who usually rides at 56kg, offsets his weight to a degree.

“He’s certainly got a lot more wins in him,’’ she said.

“He might be a horse that’s a nice one to take away to Queensland and tackle some Saturday off season metro racing.”

Stablemate Oakfield Triumph was meant to take his place alongside Oakfield Duke at Randwick but an injury at trackwork this week forced his scratching.

Epicus will take his place for Buchanan in the Nexans Electrify The Future Handicap (1400m) at Newcastle on Saturday.

Oakfield Duke's latest trial at Newcastle on June 5

The three-year-old, formerly with Chris Waller, won at Gosford at his second run for the new stable and backed that up with a gallant second, despite a massive betting drift, at Hawkesbury on June 11 after racing wide.

“He’s a nice horse and I’m confident he will run a good race on Saturday but I think he is a horse that benefits from a bit of cover,’’ she said.

“I thought that was rude the price they had about him. His run at Gosford was really good and I’m glad they were wrong.”

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