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Derby rehearsal for Inverell

The connections of Inverell  will get a better gauge as to where their gelding sits in Derby calculations after he contests the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The son of Shocking, who is raced by OTI Racing, won impressively on debut at Sale for trainer Clayton Douglas before finishing ninth second-up in the Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington last month.

"He won very well at Sale. He got knocked over the fence at Flemington so we came out of that race not really knowing where we were," OTI Racing's Terry Henderson told SENTrack.

"When the Spring Champion Stakes came up a little bit light on entries we thought this is a way we are going to find out if he is a Derby horse or not. We have taken the opportunity.

"He worked well earlier in the week, probably better than going into Sale so it gives us some confidence that he is going to run well."

Inverell will be jumps jockey turned trainer Clayton Douglas' first Group One runner, although because of travel restrictions the Victoria horseman won't be on track in Sydney this weekend.

"When we threw the nomination in for the Spring Champion, the horse was in the market and the ownership group was happy to roll the dice, so we'll see how he fronts up third-up at the 2000 metres," Douglas said.

"It is a bit of an ask and it's throwing him into the deep end, but it's worth the shot and it will probably be good experience for the autumn giving him a trip away."

Bred by Haunui Bloodstock, in conjunction with Melbourne-based Dennis and Maureen Nicol, Inverell was initially offered at last year's South Island Sale but failed to meet his $20,000 reserve.

Connections elected to take the promising stayer to the next stage of his development, sending him to Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole, for whom he had two trials including a runner-up finish at Avondale over 1050m, before bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo secured the prospect for OTI Racing.

Llanacord going back to the Bay

The Stephen Nickalls-trained mare Llanacord will be seen back at Hawke's Bay on the final day of their spring carnival for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 16.

The daughter of Contributer finished seventh in last Saturday's Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) won by Callsign Mav, and was strong through the line after missing the start. 

"She was super. We were over the moon with her run. She slipped as she jumped out the gates and that didn't help her cause and she got a little bit further back than intended," Nickalls said.

"She hit the line as well as anything and she came through the run very well.

"The plan at this stage is to go back for the Livamol and have a crack."

Llanacord was the winner of the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) last season and went on to place in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and the Gr.3 SA Classic (2500m) in Adelaide.

Hoard The Bourbon on Guineas path

Talented three-year-old Hoard The Bourbon was one of the eye-catching runners in last Saturday's Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) and trainer Stephen Marsh is keen to push on towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 6.

The son of Iffraaj, who sports the colours of last year's Guineas runner-up Bourbonaire, came from last on the home turn to charge home into fifth and will be suited stepping out to a mile.

"I thought the run was outstanding," Marsh said.

"He got back on the rail and they didn't go overly hard but when he got out late he hit the line extremely well.

"He is on a path to the 2000 Guineas and I think once he gets to the mile at a big track like Riccarton, you will see a lot better horse for sure.

"We think he is pretty high-class."

The handsome colt will step out at Te Rapa on October 25, where the Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) is one of a number of options.

"I will nominate him for the Sarten, but there is a maiden 1400m and a maiden mile on the same day, so we will keep our options open," Marsh said.

"He will run in one of those races and then fly down late in the piece to Riccarton. He is a colt and I don't really want to take him out of his (home) environment for too long."