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By Ray Hickson

The only thing that has surprised trainer Kim Waugh about in-form three-year-old True Crime is how tough he’s proving to be and that can only bode well for his future.

Trainer Kim Waugh

The gelding has won two of his three starts, and finished a close second in the other, and Waugh said he’s bounced through his easy all the way win in heavy ground at Randwick three weeks ago without a worry.

That race was the only race run on the day as the rest of the meeting was called off due to rain and the trying conditions but when he tackles the Dooleys Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday he’ll find the going a bit easier.

“He always worked nicely and I always knew he had ability but I didn’t think he would last this long in his first preparation,’’ Waugh said.

“But he’s coping with the work and with the racing so that’s been a pleasant surprise.

“He’s a real tough horse actually, he’s kept coming really well and has done a great job. He’s been on heavy tracks most of the time and he’s pulled up well and copped it very well.”

Waugh dual accepted with True Crime in the Listed Smithfield RSL Rosebud (1100m) and when the barrier draw for both races didn’t prove influential she elected not to jump in grade.

She said because there’s only $6500 difference in the first prizemoney, with standard Saturday races offering $150,000, it made sense to go for the race with potentially less depth.

“All I’m doing at the moment is seeing how he pulls up after each run,’’ she said.

“We don’t have plans with him and it’s his first prep, he was very green and new to start off with but he has taken it all in his stride.”

True Crime, $4 with TAB on Thursday, led all the way in his last start win but Waugh said Nash Rawiller can work it out when the gates open.

“I think we go forward and let Nash work it out, if he ends up in front that’s fine,’’ she said.

“If he’s just behind them he’s pretty versatile.”

Stablemate Oxford Tycoon produced his best performance of his current prep when he found winning form at Canterbury two Wednesdays ago and Waugh hopes he can back it up in the Midway Handicap (1400m).

The seven-year-old does have a worrying Rosehill statistic of 14 starts for no wins but the Wyong trainer said with a bit of luck in running from a tricky gate he can be competitive again.

“He was unlucky not to run second at Rosehill a few starts ago but he hasn’t been that far away,’’ she said.

“We thought he’d go well last time but he is funny on some of these heavy tracks, he will get through certain heavy tracks but not others. The got through that one the other day and pulled up well after it.”

True Crime wins at Randwick on July 23

Meanwhile, multiple stakes placed mare Great News is on the comeback trail after suffering a quarter crack injury earlier this year but Waugh said she’s in no hurry to get her back to the track.

The six-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final back in April and is about three weeks away from a barrier trial that will determine her next step.

“You just don’t know how long it is going to take to grow out and get right again but she is working along a bit so we will make a plan with her when we are closer to trialling,’’ Waugh said.

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