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Trainer Tracey Bartley expects Cuban Cigar will thrive on stepping up in trip as his lightly-raced talent prepares to confront scorching conditions at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Kembla will go ahead as scheduled with hot weather protocols in place.

Cuban Cigar put the writing on the wall last start when surging home for second in a 1200m Benchmark 64 at Newcastle.

Bartley’s son of Churchill is set to line-up as the horse to beat as the $2.10 elect in the Kennards Hire Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m).

“His runs have been good and he’s ready to win now so he’s in the right spot,” Bartley said.

Trainer Tracey Bartley (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“He is a nice horse. He is not a big gross horse but he’s doing the right things.

“I am looking forward to getting him to 1400m, he can travel a lot easier and hopefully he will be ready to go when he wants to go on him.

“Hopefully it’s not too hot.”

Cuban Cigar got his maiden out of the way in impressive fashion at the first time of asking at Dubbo last August before being sent for a freshen-up after the run.

The three-year-old has settled back in the field in both of his runs with Bartley expecting it will be much the same in his third-up assignment.

“He takes a while to get going so he will be back a bit again I’d imagine on Saturday,” he said.

Bartley plans to tinker with Cuban Cigar’s gear in time and believes the gelding will be effective over more ground in future preps.

“He does need blinkers, we will keep them for later to sharpen him up a bit more,” he said.

“I think he will get a mile for sure but we will keep him at 1400m this prep.”

Bartley elected to scratch Cuban Cigar from a 1300m event on the same program.

Mitchell Bell will continue his association with Cuban Cigar, which will take on a string of locally trained contenders.

Diane Poidevin-Laine’s in-form galloper Audenzia ($3.50) while Robert and Luke Price saddle up Satness ($8) and Cuban Rain ($17).

The Mitch Beer and George Carpenter-trained Apollo Mission ($13) will need the 3kg claim of apprentice Ryan Bradley. Victory At Omaha ($51) makes his return for Theresa Bateup.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Kembla Grange