A locally trained three-year-old which has had to play second fiddle in three of his opening four starts is primed to break through at Thursday’s feature Hawkesbury meeting.

The Grey, a striking gelding by prolific spint sire Deep Field in the leading stable of Brad Widdup, tackles a Provincial Maiden Plate over 1100m second-up.

Named with a touch of irony, given he is officially chestnut and grey-coloured, The Grey failed to pull off a strong betting move when resuming here 16 days ago.

Backed from a high of $5.50 into $4.20, The Grey tracked the speed in a handy Super Maiden before taking over on the point of the turn, but couldn’t sustain the run home, beaten just over two lengths behind the promising Apex.

But fitter now, and having worked stylishly since, he’s ready to break through at his fifth start, and potentially take aim at a midweek metropolitan race.

The Grey opened around $2.80 in early betting just in front of Newcastle-based Aged Care ($3) which lines up for only his fourth start, six weeks since disappointing fresh at home in a Super Maiden.

Certainly, connections of The Grey won’t be too concerned if the forecast showers and likely thunderstorms arrive before jump time.

Bred to thrive on rain-affected ground, he showed his versatility by running home hard into a close second on a heavy 8 surface at Hawkesbury in mid-July and he’s also trialled well in soft-rated going.

Meanwhile, the meeting also looms as an early career D-Day for emerging four-year-old Cassiel which tackles a Benchmark 64 Handicap for the boys over 1100m third-up.