Well-seasoned speedster Way To The Stars comes home to New South Wales after a lengthy absence exceeding a year, lining up at Hawkesbury as trainer Matt Smith eyes a sharp performance.

The dual Listed victor found solid justification for his recent form dip, suffering barrier misfortune in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) externally drawn, before a sloppy track proved his undoing at Flemington.

Suitable dry conditions greet him in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), where the gelding’s inside draw at post three bodes well amidst 14 rivals.

“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.”

A five-week spell sharpened by a trial readies Way To The Stars for the weekend feature.

Nash Rawiller aboard, Smith sees genuine prospects for his runner in a race full of possibilities.

“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.”

World Alliance from the same stable awaits late forfeits to join the Gold Rush fray, positioning him nicely to contend if he slips in.

The experienced six-year-old thrives first-up with three wins from four, masters this circuit and sprint trip, drawn four outside his stablemate.

“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.”

Smith is optimistic about up-and-coming gelding Golden Straand sustaining his ascent in the Blake’s Marine Handicap (1100m), fresh off a Warwick Farm return victory that marks four wins in nine.

“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.”

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