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Kris Lees says Mugatoo shapes as a “horse who will sprint well fresh” when he makes his keenly-awaited Australian debut at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

The lightly-raced import has been much hyped on the strength of an impressive barrier trial performance – even though beaten clearly – on the Beaumont track on December 30.

Mugatoo , a five-year-old and "veteran" of only six starts in the UK whose two wins to date were both over middle-distances (2334m and 2922m), was to have begun an Aussie campaign last Saturday at Rosehill Gardens in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m).

However, Lees chose not to run him first-up on a heavy track and the gelding now steps up to a stronger Benchmark 88 Handicap (1600m) against only seven rivals, one of whom is his stablemate and topweight Our Candidate.

Leading apprentice Robbie Dolan claims 1.5kg on Mugatoo, lessening his weight to only 50.5kg.

Mugatoo scorched home under his own steam when second – beaten just over four lengths – to Royal Tudor in his recent 1200m trial.

Whilst he hasn't raced since last July, it's interesting to note he won first-up over 2922m at Doncaster last May at his first start in five and a half months.

"Mugatoo is a nice horse and obviously a stayer of some promise," Lees said this morning.

"He is in good order and gives the impression he is a horse who will sprint well fresh.

"I'm looking forward to taking him to the races tomorrow."

Another apprentice Brock Ryan takes 3kg off Our Candidate (now 58.5kg), who put together two impressive city wins in July and August last year before starting favourite and finishing a close third to Hush Writer in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) in September.

He has trialled twice in preparation for a resumption, but his trainer considers he will take improvement from tomorrow's outing.

"Our Candidate took a couple of runs last time before breaking through and I don't anticipate he will be winning first-up this time either," Lees said.

The Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April is Our Candidate's autumn mission, provided his form warrants such a target.

Both Mugatoo and Our Candidate are members of the powerful Australian Bloodstock team with Lees, with the former holding an 8kg advantage over his stablemate.

. Lees has sent his remarkable veteran Doukhan to Queensland to take advantage of a wet track (rated a Soft 6 this morning) for his resumption at the metropolitan meeting at the Sunshine Coast tomorrow.

An 11-year-old who seemingly still retains his zest for racing, Doukhan (Andrew Mallyon) lines up in the Benchmark 90 Handicap (2200m).

"The wet track was obviously the deciding factor in sending Doukhan north," Lees said.

"It looks an ideal race for him to begin.

"I'm not saying he's fully wound up, but he's not unfit either."

Andrew Mallyon rides Doukhan, who raced only once in spring, and has always shown his best form on rain-affected ground.

Lees has also sent Mill City (Mallyon) to Queensland to run in the Class 3 Plate (1600m).

"She has been a bit hit and miss and probably hasn't so far lived up to our expectations," he said.

"However, she has won on soft ground and hasn't been beaten far at her last two runs at Tamworth and Muswellbrook over 1600m and 1750m.

"Mill City is fit and has a soft draw."