Every year the Expressway Stakes signals the start of Sydney’s autumn carnival which also means it’s the beginning of Centennial Park’s campaign.
The seven-year-old lines up in the Group Two sprint for the fourth consecutive year with his record standing at one win, a second and fourth.
He was at his best in 2011 when he beat Love Conquers All, Hot Danish and Danleigh and two starts later finished runner-up to Danleigh in the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes.
Last year he ran second to Rain Affair and his first-up run turned out to be the best of his preparation.
The same happened in the spring when he resumed with a second to Pinwheel in the Missile Stakes.
Secure in the knowledge Centennial Park is enjoying his training and runs well fresh, trainer David Payne will tune him up with a barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday morning.
“He will have a soft trial tomorrow and then run in the Expressway,” Payne said.
“He’s part of the furniture for that race now.
“He’s a happy horse in the stable and very well in himself.”
There were 11 entries taken on Monday for the Expressway (1200m) including All Too Hard who is scheduled to run in the Group One C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield with Darley horses Pinwheel and Skytrain also dual nominated for Sydney and Melbourne.
Chris Waller has entered Group One winners Albert The Fat, Danleigh and Tougher Than Ever, formerly known as Warhorse in his native New Zealand.
Doctor Doom, the 2011 Spring Champion Stakes winner, is one of two entries for trainer Guy Walter who has put Willy Jimmy in after he missed a start on Saturday due to the heavy Rosehill track.
Last-start Zeditave Stakes winner Happy Galaxy and country sprinter Jest Crewsin’ complete the line-up.
The Expressway has been switched this year from Rosehill to Warwick Farm.
