Wagga trainer Chris Heywood to test Blitzar and Underwood in Sydney as spring carnival arrives

With the group races beginning to unfold in Sydney and Melbourne, Heywood has decided to take two of his better-performed horses to Randwick on Saturday for a crack at the riches on offer.

Promising sprinter Blitzar will contest the $100,000 TAB Highway Class Three Handicap (1200m), before in-form mare Underwood tackles the $130,000 Benchmark 78 Mares Handicap (1100m).

Apprentice jockey Jean Van Overmiere will take ride on both.

It will be Blitzar's fourth crack at a Highway Handicap, with his previous best effort a sixth behind Art Cadeau.

Heywood hopes this is the right time for his talented five-year-old.

"He's probably going at a more favourable time than he has before," Heywood explained.

"Every other time I've taken him down there I've had bad luck. Either he hasn't travelled well, or tracks have been too wet. Or we've drawn a wide gate. This time, I'm super happy with him. He goes good second up and he's drawn a gate, which is something we needed to do.

"They'll know he's there."

Van Overmiere gets back on board. He has ridden Blitzar twice before, for one win.

His claim helps the son of Deep Field get in with 55.5 kilograms, having drawn nicely in barrier five.

"If he's at his best, he'll give them a real shake, if he's at his best," Heywood said.

"It just depends on how well he travels. If he travels down good and everything's good, he'll race good."

Blitzar resumed this preparation with a strong third in a Wagga trial, before a close-up second behind Mnementh at Wagga last week.

Heywood was happy with the effort.

"Stoked. It was a slowly run race, where he overraced a little bit in the middle stages and he really only presented late to finish off," he said.

"It was nearly like a trial really, and he pulled up super off it, which is part of the reason we're going on Saturday.

"Carrying 59, I thought he went super. Considering his first up runs aren't usually his best runs, second up are normally his best."

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Underwood returns to metropolitan grade, having done a lot of her early racing in the city. She only arrived at Heywood's stable in March this year after being purchased by Kooringal Stud as a broodmare prospect.

The Deep Field mare has been a model of consistency for Heywood, only twice finishing further back than fourth in nine starts for the stable.

Heywood concedes it is a rise in grade, but believes there is nothing to lose in trying.

"She finds a mares race and the right distance race but obviously we're stepping up in company," he said.

"The way she's been going, she deserves to have a crack, she really does. She looks magnificent and she's in a great frame of mind. And when those mares are racing like that, you've got to have a crack.

"She's not going to be here much longer so if she happens to race well and finish in the money, that looks better as a breeding proposition."

Underwood has shown excellent speed at her last couple of starts to lead but believes they might be better taking a sit in town.

"We couldn't ask for a better draw (barrier two)," he said.

"I'd prefer not to lead. I think there's enough speed that she won't have to."

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