Matt Smith anticipates strong run from Way to the stars at Hawkesbury

Sprinter Way To The Stars, who has raced extensively away from home, returns to New South Wales for the first time in over a year, contesting Hawkesbury where handler Matt Smith predicts a forward performance.

Boasting two Listed victories, the gelding had valid reasons for underperforming in his previous two efforts: poor luck from a wide alley during the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), followed by discomfort on a rain-affected surface at Flemington.

A good track awaits in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), his preferred going, and barrier three should prove advantageous in a full field of 14.

"We had no hope in the Oakleigh Plate from the outside gate. We probably should have scratched," Smith said.

"And then we ran on a track that was wet in Melbourne, and he didn't like that at all.

"I think he is back to his best. He's a horse that needs to get his first 400 right, and if he can get that right, he can be competitive."

After a five-week freshen-up including a recent trial, Way To The Stars prepares for Saturday's assignment.

Nash Rawiller partners the runner, whom Smith considers a realistic player in an even contest.

"He's been up at the farm for a few weeks and has done a bit of work on the sand. He had that trial and he's good to go. He's fresh, fit, well," he said.

"It's a good race. There are plenty of chances in it, and he's one of them."

Fellow stable runner World Alliance requires additional scratches to secure a spot in the Gold Rush, but if accepted, he has the ability to figure prominently.

The veteran six-year-old has three first-up wins from four goes, excels over the course and distance, and sits in barrier four adjacent to his mate.

"If he gets the right set-up, he is always dangerous," Smith said.

"He needs tempo, which he'll get here.

"He's fit, and he's well and I can't fault him. His work was sharp on Tuesday morning so he's ready to go."

Trainer Smith expects rising star Golden Straand, another gelding, to press on in the Blake's Marine Handicap (1100m) after his winning reappearance at Warwick Farm boosted his stats to four wins in nine outings.

"He's a really good horse. He could be in that stakes race, but he's going through his grades," Smith said.

"He'll be very hard to beat in that race.

"He could end up in Queensland, for sure. The only thing with him is he needs good ground. His only blemish was on a wet track at Randwick, and he didn't go on that at all."

Head to the online bookmakers for competitive markets on the Hawkesbury Gold Rush.