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Talented galloper Huka Falls has embarked on the first stage of a campaign that trainer Laurie Laxon hopes will see the gelding in Hong Kong later in the year.

Huka Falls won a 1000m barrier trial on Thursday morning in preparation for a return to racing in the Group 3 $200,000 Woodlands Handicap over 1200m on August 9 with Laxon nominating the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m at Sha Tin on December 8 as his ultimate aim.

The gelding hasn’t raced since finishing fourth behind Stepitup in the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint over 1200m on March 31.

Following that race Huka Falls spent the next six weeks at the resting stables before returning to Laxon’s stables to begin his current preparation.

A gallop next Tuesday should have the now four-year-old almost at his peak for a return to racing at the National Day meeting on August 9.

With Joao Moreira heading to England to ride in the Shergar Cup, an international jockey’s challenge at Ascot on August 10, fellow Brazilian Manoel Nunes will ride Huka Falls in his return to racing.

“He had six weeks up the spelling station after his last run,” said Laxon. “It did him the world of good as he’s come back bigger and stronger this time.

“He put on about 25kg during his break and I would think he’ll probably be about 10kg heavier for his return to racing.

“He’s been back in work around nine weeks now and that trial today and a gallop next Tuesday should top him off nicely.

“Nothing is set in stone for him this preparation but I wouldn’t mind taking him to Hong Kong at the end of the year if he continues to make natural improvement.

“I don’t think going the opposite way will be a worry for him as he won his trial in New Zealand before coming here going that way.”

Huka Falls jumped smartly from his inside draw and comfortably held the lead from the Patrick Shaw-trained Davide (Barend Vorster) and although getting a little tired late in the trial scored by a half-length from that galloper in a time of 1 min 00.05 secs.

“It was a good trial,” said Nunes who has galloped Huka Falls on a couple of occasions in preparation for his return to racing.

“He jumped very quickly out of the barriers and was well settled in the trial. We raced well away from the cones but it was good strong work and it will do him a lot of good.

“I got him to change his leg and I think he will be ready for his race next week.”

By Align from Diamond Lady, Huka Falls has won eight of his 11 starts and almost $400,000 in prizemoney for Laxon’s Silver Fern Racing Stable.