Essington will back up at Eagle Farm on Saturday after trainer Darryl Hansen aborted plans to send the four-year-old to Sydney for an autumn campaign.
Hansen had planned to send the son of Redoute’s Choice interstate for the Group Two Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday week and the Group Three Doncaster Prelude (1600m) at Randwick on April 9.
However, the former Mackay trainer had second thoughts following Essington’s third to Lucky Leak over 1350 metres at Doomben last Saturday.
“I thought it was an enormous run after he got caught so wide,” Hansen said.
“If he had run sixth or seventh I would still have been pleased with his effort, yet he ran third.
“I discussed it with his owner and we thought about taking him away for the Ajax Stakes and then the Doncaster Prelude but we’ve decided to back him up here on Saturday instead.
“He’s backed up before and won and I’m expecting him to go well again.”
Chris Munce has been Essington’s regular rider but Hansen has decided to go for a claim with the booking of apprentice Mitchell Wood in the Stolberg Constructions Handicap (1500m).
“He’ll get in well at the weights with Mitch’s three-kilo claim,” Hansen said.
“It’s really surprised me how well this horse has pulled up after last week’s run and he’s as strong as an ox.”
Essington has drawn barrier four in the seven-horse field and is a winner over the 1500-metre journey.
Although Hansen will miss his first Sydney starter with Essington, he still has high hopes for the Brisbane winter.
“I’ll wait and see how he goes after this run and a run over 1600 metres two weeks later before we freshen him for the winter,” Hansen said.
“It’ll be the first time he’s been over 1600 metres but I’m confident he’ll run it.
“After these two runs he’ll have a freshen-up and there’s every chance he could go for the Stradbroke.
“The Glasshouse Handicap also would be a suitable race for him.”
Essington was a $50,000 buy at a Lloyd Williams dispersal sale in Melbourne before emerging as a winter carnival contender with four city wins from his past five starts.
AAP TURF
