The runner he hopes will feature for him in the annual series for two-year-old colts and geldings – Lord Heston – will make his racing debut at the Bathurst Paceway on Wednesday night.

He will go from barrier seven in the 1,730 metres Two Year Old Pace as he begins his build up to the Gold Crown. Muscat hopes will fare better than Masons Delight did last year when placing third in his heat and fifth in the consolation.

Muscat purchased Lord Heston at last year’s Bathurst Gold Crown Yearling sale for $12,000 – a price he feels was “a bargain buy”.

He is the sixth foal out of Lourdes, with the four who have raced all being winners. His sire is Heston Blue Chip, who earned over $1.77 million during his career.

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He has two trials to his credit – winning the first in a 1:58.2 mile rate – and the Londonderry trainer has been impressed by what he has seen.

“I think he’s definitely shown a bit of ability, he’s just drawn a bad gate for Wednesday night,” he said.

“I think this ideal for his preparation, it will help get him used to the track and help with his fitness too.

“I think he’s above average, so hopefully he does well despite that bad gate.”