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By Ray Hickson

The step up in class and return to firmer footing are genuine question marks around in-form three-year-old Cruel Summer but trainer Paul Perry says he has earned the right to prove himself at Randwick on Saturday.

Cruel Summer has been a minor revelation since Perry elected to geld the horse in his spring break and he’ll chase a hat-trick in the Midway Handicap (1200m).

Perry said he’ll be guided by Cruel Summer’s performance as to whether he could be a Provincial Championships candidate for next year but has been encouraged by his wins at Newcastle and Canterbury.

“He’s been good albeit on heavy tracks but he’s come back nicely all the same,’’ Perry said.

“Gelding has probably suited him. I think he needed it and I think it’s proved he’s better for it.

“He’s up to Saturday class racing now and it will be good to see him do it. He deserves his chance.”

It was six weeks between runs for the gelding going into his runaway win on a heavy 10 at Canterbury on May 25 and it remains to be seen if he’s looking for a bit further than 1200m on the back of it.

Cruel Summer wins at Canterbury on May 25

Perry said he’s not too concerned about the improving surface given Cruel Summer, $6.50 with TAB on Thursday, drops 2.5kg and will be even fitter for his second-up win.

“I don’t think the ground will worry him, he is a genuine sort of horse,’’ he said.

“I’ve been pleased with him, his work has been nice and he’s done well.”

The Newcastle trainer has four starters at Randwick and all will be ridden by Ashley Morgan. Among them is 2020 Provincial Championships runner-up Pandano who resumes in the Celebration Of Women In Racing Handicap (1000m).

The five-year-old has been unplaced in all nine starts since the Championships and Perry said while he’s not sharp enough to be a force over the short course he’d like to see signs Pandano can regain his form this preparation.

“If you go through his form his first-up runs aren’t his best and he needs one or two, and maybe 1000m will be a bit short,’’ he said.

“But his trials have been good coming back and he will appreciate the ground.”

Both Forecaster and Saquon were first-up winners on heavy tracks but Perry can see positives for them in their respective races.

Two-year-old Forecaster tackles the Schweppes Handicap (1100m) after he ran up to support in betting to win a maiden at Canterbury on May 25 while Saquon revelled in the ground to win the Midway two weeks ago and rises in trip for the Chandon Handicap (1400m).

“Forecaster has always shown something, once again he’s drawn well and should get a nice run,’’ Perry said.

“I think the 1400m will suit Saquon better than the 1200m, second-up from a spell, and he has done well and looks well in himself.”

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