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A return to the winner’s circle appears imminent for Katie’s Cove at Randwick on Saturday.

The Roger James-trained filly made a most encouraging Australian debut where she rattled home for second in the Hawkesbury Guineas.

Katie’s Cove missed the start and was forced to settle back before unleashing a strong run behind the promising Chautauqua.

With some valuable black type now added to her résumé, James has dropped Katie’s Cove back in grade at Randwick on Saturday.

Katie’s Cove looks well placed in the Girvan Waugh 3YO Benchmark 80 Handicap (1400m) as the daughter of Zabeel gave every indication last start she is an above average type.

The run returned a Timeform rating of 99 which has the three-year-old sitting well clear of her rivals here on weight adjusted 50 day figures.

Katie’s Cove did do a bit wrong in the Hawkesbury Guineas however in a lesser race there is arguably greater room for error.

In saying that, her racing manners should improve with continued experience.

An inside barrier should assist her chances and if she can jump on terms with the field unlike the Hawkesbury Guineas, Katie’s Cove should enjoy an ideal run in transit positioned midfield on the fence.

James McDonald jumps aboard who is the form rider in Sydney at present.

Connections will be hopeful of Katie’s Cove claiming a soft kill perhaps prior to sending the Zabeel north to Brisbane for further pursuit of black type.

Secessio at each way odds has plenty of appeal in the Listed McKell Cup (2400m).

The German import has returned in good order this campaign and appears to have a sense of timing about him on Saturday.

Secessio’s third in the Lord Mayors Cup was full of merit where he loomed large a furlong out before condition second up appears to give out.

The five-year-old faces a number of the same rivals he accounted for last start.

Stablemate Permit as was the case in the Lord Mayor’s Cup has compressed the weights again leaving just five horses sitting within the handicap after the scratching of Zephyron.

The race looks short on depth and Secessio appears poised to capitalise.

The current favourite in the McKell Cup is La Amistad.

Early markets as of Friday morning have the mare installed as the $2.80 top elect.

Despite her obvious promise as a stayer, La Amistad appears well under the odds.

The Redoute’s Choice mare sits a mile outside of the handicap with her true weight for this race just 44kg.

She takes on seasoned stakes performed stayers on poor weight terms after winning a Warwick Farm Benchmark 70 at this trip.

It will be a steep learning curve for the mare.

While promising and with the hottest jockey/trainer combination in Sydney at present, her favouritism at a miserly quote of $2.80 cannot be justified.

Sydney Specials

Banker: R3, #5 Katie’s Cove @ $2.80

Lay Of The Day: R6; #13 La Amistad @ $2.80