Import Kettle Hill has been put on notice to stand up and be counted at Randwick as connections look towards targeting a feature race over the autumn carnival.
The six-year-old will step out in the TAB Handicap (1800m) on Saturday and having finally drawn an inside gate, Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett wants to see Kettle Hill deliver on his potential.
"Out to nine furlongs (1800m), he would want to really be putting himself into that if he's the horse we are hoping he's going to turn out to be," Lovett said.
"Looking at his mile form in England, I didn't think there was that much between him and Nugget when we bought them.
"I thought the other horse was probably sharper, but I thought this horse could win a good race at a mile and get out to a mile-and-a-quarter.
"He's out to that sort of distance now and I want to see him do something."
While Nugget has won three of his four Australian starts to earn a first-up tilt at the C F Orr Stakes in Melbourne next weekend, Kettle Hill is yet to place in three runs, although he has been competitive in each.
Lovett said the horse had been his own worst enemy at times and he hoped for a genuine tempo on Saturday to help him relax in the run.
"He can over-race and that's not ideal, but I'm hoping with a couple of Gai's (trainer Gai Waterhouse's horses) in the race they really roll along," Lovett said.
"When he does drop the bit and relax he's got a really good turn of foot."
James Mcdonald sticks with Kettle Hill after partnering him last start.