Hansen Hopeful With Appeals And Essington

Darryl Hansen is hoping Essington can be the start of a turnaround in his fortunes when the sprinter makes his comeback in the Listed Keith Noud Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Hansen is training on a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of two appeals to the Queensland Council and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) after being disqualified for six months by Racing Queensland stewards in August.

Essington, who runs in a 1000m barrier trial on his home track of Caloundra on Tuesday, has not started since winning the Listed Ascot Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in July.

Hansen was fined $10,000 after Essington returned a positive swab to the prohibited substance prednisone following his Newmarket Handicap win at Rockhampton on June 23.

He was disqualified when found guilty of presenting Essington's stablemate Hussonator with an elevated level of TCO2 (bicarb) prior to the mare's win in the Mackay Cup on July 9.

The 41-year-old Hansen strongly denies any involvement in the treatment of either horse and has vowed to clear his name in both cases.

"I'm hoping to win both appeals against the sentence and charge but I'll keep fighting this through the courts if I lose," Hansen said.

Hansen, who has said he will quit training in Queensland if the stewards' decision isn't overturned, is confident of Essington's chances ahead of his Summer Series campaign.

"He's ready to go. He's been in work for about ten weeks and looks terrific," Hansen said.

"There's no reason why he won't run well first-up and he's muscled up a lot since his last campaign.

"I'm going to barrier trial him over 1000 metres on Tuesday and that will top him off nicely then he'll have an easy time for the remainder of the week."

Damian Browne will have his first race ride on Essington in the Keith Noud Quality with Chris Munce expected to partner the Kelso Wood-trained Belltone.

Munce has ridden Essington in six of his past seven starts but has also been the regular rider for Belltone who is on the comeback trail after winning six times in seven starts last campaign.

Hansen plans to prepare Essington for the 2012 Stradbroke Handicap.

"He'll run in the summer series then he'll be freshened for the Brisbane winter carnival," he said.

"I'd love to think he could be a decent Stradbroke chance next year."