A barrier trial victory over two accomplished stakes sprinters has promising country galloper Exploitable Doubt primed for a return to racing on Wednesday.Exploitable Doubt will step out for the first time as a four-year-old in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury with trainer Rodney Northam's expectations heightened by a Newcastle trial win last week."He sat three lengths off them on a wet track over 900 metres and with one slap (of the whip) he cruised up and won nicely in go

A barrier trial victory over two accomplished stakes sprinters has promising country galloper Exploitable Doubt primed for a return to racing on Wednesday.

Exploitable Doubt will step out for the first time as a four-year-old in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury with trainer Rodney Northam's expectations heightened by a Newcastle trial win last week.

"He sat three lengths off them on a wet track over 900 metres and with one slap (of the whip) he cruised up and won nicely in good time," Northam said.

Finishing in the placings were black-type winners Motspur and Prince Braeman.

"It's rare for Motspur to be beaten in a trial so I was really happy with that," Northam said.

"We'll head to Sydney with some confidence about his chances but having said that it's an interesting race with Combat Kitty and Joe Pride's horse Tiger Tees there."

Combat Kitty will be resuming after her two-year-old season was cut short when she finished second to Karuta Queen in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Tiger Tees will be out to make it four wins in five starts after ploughing through the mud to score a regulation Randwick win at his most recent outing.

Add unbeaten Shamardal five-year-old Shamus to the list of chances and Northam says it won't be a shock if the race provides some kind of spring form reference.

Exploitable Doubt graduated from a Scone maiden win to a Saturday-grade success over 1400m at Rosehill in his first three starts.

He hasn't raced since finishing unplaced at the same track after being posted wide in February.

"A few things went wrong with him after that. He got colic and I had to put him in the paddock for a good spell," Northam said.

Northam said Exploitable Doubt was showing the benefit of a long, steady build-up to his campaign.

"A lot of what he did early on was on raw ability," Northam said.

"He seems to be a much more relaxed horse. Mentally and physically he has matured.

"At the races I hope that translates into him being able to sit behind them and then find the line."

Tiger Tees, meanwhile, will be trying to enhance Pride's flying start to the new racing season.

The Warwick Farm trainer has prepared seven metropolitan winners from only 20 starters since August 1.

Besides Tiger Tees, the early favourite at $3.40 to maintain his winning run, Pride will also saddle up outsider More Rocco ($21) in the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Hcp (1250m).