Promising talent Devon County is a 'huge horse' but trainer John Sargent expects his giant galloper will be well suited by a visit to the expansive Kembla Grange track on Thursday.
The son of Tavistock is one of the biggest horses in Sargent's Randwick yard and will line up for his second career start in the Mullet Creek Mile Maiden Handicap (1600m) with two trials under his belt this preparation.
"He is about 17 hands tall and needs a big track like Kembla Grange," Sargent said.
"Being by Tavistock out of a Zabeel mare that's why we have gone straight to the mile.
"I think he's a nice staying progressive type that looks like he will still get stronger in the next six month so that will suit him to kick off.
"He has done the work to be very competitive."
Sargent tested Devon County over 1500m in his debut assignment at Muswellbrook on February 6 where the three-year-old finished fourth.
He is a $3.40 TAB third elect to break his maiden in a competitive betting affair with Ten Downing Street ($2.90) and Nicodemus ($3). Jockey Keagan Latham will ride Devon County in his latest first-up showing.
Sargent also has River Tamar ($7.50) returning from a spell in the Hooka Creek 3YO Maiden Plate (1300m). The daughter of Tavistock was among the acceptors for a race at Canterbury Park on Wednesday, however, an ideal draw in barrier two helped convince Sargent to head south.
"I just thought Thursday at Kembla was a better race for River Tamar," Sargent said. "She is drawn two, Jason Collett trialled her and I think it is a good race for her.
"I think if she gets a soft run there, she's definitely got a good chance because she has been a bit unlucky a couple of times. If they run along she should hit the line strongly."
Nyota is the final of Sargent's Kembla runners and is looking for a form turnaround. The Teofilo mare put in a poor showing first-up from a spell when failing to beat a runner home at Goulburn but will look to atone in the Duck Creek Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).
"It was a disappointing run the other day so I have been changing her training around," Sargent said. "She is better than that but it was disappointing so she is going to have to front up and do something."
Nyota is a $34 outsider with Latham also in the saddle. Kembla Grange is rated a Good 4.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here