Sikandrabad will contest the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) after an impressive second behind Mugatoo in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) three weeks ago.

It was the third run for the eight-year-old since Kavanagh bought him online.

His first-up effort was a length fifth in the listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill in July.

He followed that with victory in the $150,000 Coffs Harbour Cup.

That win has been a highlight for Kavanagh so far in his return to training.

The former Rosehill-based trainer served a disqualification of more than four years over cobalt and caffeine charges.

He was initially outed for nine years but he successfully appealed to reduce the penalty and regained his licence late last year.

Keen to avoid the pressures of Sydney and instead focus on country-only racing, Kavanagh moved to Scone and now trains out of the Muswellbrook club, who he said had been great supporters.

The move was also for his partner, Kelly Fawcett, who can now practice equine therapy in the nation's breeding capital.

Kavanagh, who has about 20 horses in work, has had only 12 runners for two wins since his first starter back in June this year.

Sikandrabad is easily the best in his stable for the moment and the $100,000 buy has already paid for himself in three runs.

"He's been a beauty," Kavanagh said.

"In the past I've always enjoyed training European horses and he come up for sale online basically the week after I got my licence and we thought we'd have a crack.

"We chopped up the ownership among some old clients and a lot of people from Facebook, a lot of new people into the stable.

"A lot of syndicates are involved, which is brilliant.

"He's got 30-odd owners and they are all having this amazing ride.

"He's really overachieved.

"He'd lost a lot of his good form but he seems to be coming back to it now, which is brilliant."

After the strong run in the Premiers Cup, Kavanagh said he would have come back to town on Saturday confident of challenging again with Sikandrabad.

However, a poor draw in 16 for the Kingston Town Stakes means he will need luck in running.

"He did come from barrier 16 to win the Coffs Harbour Cup and he has some tactical speed, so hopefully Brenton [Avdulla] can use that and find a good spot for him."

Sikandrabad was an $11 TAB Fixed Odds chance in the race on Friday.

The Kris Lees-trained Mustajeer ($10) is also in the race as one of several hopes on the program for the top Newcastle horseman.

Tactical Advantage was an outsider in the group 2 The Shorts (1100m) and Le Romain represents the stable in the group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m). Lees has Miss Canada, True Faith and Fall On A Star at long odds in the group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).

AAP reports: John Thompson hopes a gear change can help Dreamforce challenge in the group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Thompson has taken the blinkers off the group 1 winner, which is yet to claim a major over the mile at his home track.

"I thought it's something we should try. A couple of times he has got a bit keen with the blinkers on," Thompson said.

"It's a game of inches and if we can just get him to relax a bit and get a bit more out of him in the straight it will enhance his chances."

The eight-year-old continues to be a tough campaigner, bouncing back from a first-up flop in the Winx Stakes where he had a torrid run to claim the Tramway Stakes last start.

Thompson says he has continued to thrive and is hard-fit for Saturday's task against Waller's quartet, led by Verry Ellegant, and the James Cummings-trained duo of Avilius and Colette.

"It was a tough run but he's an old, seasoned horse and he's come through it really well," Thompson said.

"He is nice and fit now third up and I couldn't be happier with him.

Thompson will also start Cuba in the Group Two Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) and feels the Listed winner has returned to work better than ever.

Traditionally a good first-up performer, Cuba has trialled well in the lead-up and Thompson expects him to again sprint well fresh despite a class rise.

"It's strong enough and it's a step up for him. He won a Listed last prep and this is a Group race but I just think he's going better," Thompson said.

"Both his trials have been great, his work has been great and he's going really well."