August 17 - Top Australian racehorse trainer John O'Shea is set to unveil his latest acquisition, 4-year-old Smokin' Gun, at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse tomorrow (Wednesday, August 18) in the 1400m Paddington Handicap.

Imported from New Zealand, tomorrow's Paddington Handicap will be Smokin' Gun's first ever race on Australian soil and, according to reports, O'Shea has high expectations that the gelding could become a top quality stayer.

'He's a very nice horse,' said O'Shea. 'I think he'll make a lovely mile and a half horse, although we'll probably be inclined to ride him a little quieter.' O'Shea took over Smokin' Gun in March after her failed to shine in New Zealand.

The race in question that saw owners D Courtney-O'Connor, A Whitelock, J Beeton and R A Gelski transfer the gelding over to Australia, was the coveted 2400m New Zealand Derby where he crossed the line down the field.

But O'Shea admits that he has followed the progress of the gelding since he was a 3-year-old and saw something in him. Out of eight career starts in New Zealand, Smokin' Gun romped across the line first in two of them.

So, confident that he can turn the fortunes of the bay gelding around, O'Shea has already nominated Smokin 'Gun in the Caulfield Cup as well as the Melbourne Cup, two of Australia's biggest and most important Gr 1 races.

Here is the final field for the $27,000 Paddington Handicap at Randwick (Kensington track) tomorrow:

Privatedestination
So Detached
Smokin' Gun (NZ)
Pureness
Kaunda (NZ)
Viva El Rey
Wave the Dollar (SCRATCHED)
Tuscan Breeze
Hush Up
Tom's Choice
Shakes
Seventh Reason