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Last preparation just didn’t go to plan but trainer Kerry Parker hopes talented mare Callistemon is due for a signifcant change of fortune as she kicks off her campaign at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

Callistemon failed to place in four runs at the end of last year but Parker believes the daughter of Territories was going better than the results suggest.

He decided to pull the pin on the preparation and make a fresh start in the New Year.

Callistemon ($7.50) is ready to bounce back in the Civona Skincare Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) with Chad Lever aboard.

It will be short of her best but Parker believes Callistemon is more than capable of a bold first-up showing.

Trainer Kerry Parker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“She can sprint well fresh,” Parker said.

“I thought she trialled really nicely last time and overall I expect her to run really well and hold her own.

“I think she raced with no luck last prep. She got in some slowly run races and boxed up a few times.

“I threw my hands in the air and put her back in the paddock and decided to start again.

“She was going really well and just had no luck so hopefully we can get that change of fortune this time around.”

Stablemate Equilibrist ($23) will attempt to return to his best in the 000 Plumbing Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m) with Lever also booked to steer.

The son of Trapeze Artist went back to the trials after being eased out of the race in an 1850m event at Newcastle last start.

Parker has tinkered with his gear and removed his blinkers.

“He is a bit of a thinker,” Parker said.

“The blinkers are back off him now. He just pulled too hard over the 1800m last start.

“He trialled good over the 740m which was quite a surprise but he gets back to a 1400m race, which could be a bit tricky but off his trial.

“If it is a genuinely run race, he will be doing his best work late.”

Parker elected to go to Canberra with lightly-raced filly Elivina where the three-year-old finished second instead of running Dean Industrial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m).

The eight-race card will kick off at 12.05pm.

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