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Cambridge trainer Andrew Campbell is aiming high with NZ stayer Wertheimer ($2.60 favourite on TAB) this winter and is determined to use Kembla Grange as a stepping stone to another Group 1 tilt on Australian shores.

The son of Tavistock has made the trip across the Tasman with Campbell keen to target the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on May 29.

But before he turns his focus towards the Sunshine State, Campbell wants to see Wertheimer produce a strong display in Saturday's Ah! McCleans Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2000m) on the NSW South Coast.

"He has got to win on Saturday I think," Campbell said. "It looks a pretty suitable race and I think we can get him to the Derby and try to get two wins under his belt.

"He landed in Sydney so this 2000m race at Kembla fitted perfectly into our schedule two weeks out from the Derby."

Wertheimer raced under the banner of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young throughout an Australian spring campaign that included runs in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and Victoria Derby.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Campbell to have the son of Tavistock in an Australian-based stable with travel between the two countries still off limits during the spring.

Wertheimer finished back in the pack in both his Group 1 assignments, finishing 10th in the Spring Champion and 12th in the Victoria Derby.

"He probably wasn't a spring three-year-old, that was more likely the breed and we brought him home for a spell after that Derby run," Campbell said.

The newly established travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand has allowed Campbell to travel to watch his three-year-old latest Australian crusade.

Wertheimer had put three New Zealand runs under his belt before arriving in Australia but was unplaced in all three runs this preparation including a last start sixth in the Group 2 Trelawney Stud (2100m) at Ellerslie on April 24.

"His form doesn't look that flash but he has had a few bad barriers over home," Campbell said. "His first run was more like a barrier trial and his second start he was unlucky again before we went to that Group 2 at Ellerslie.

"We've been a bit behind the 8-ball with him all the way through but he has certainly got the ability." Chad Lever will take the reins on Wertheimer on Saturday and will jump from barrier six.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here