Trainer Pat Sexton is hoping Lucky Leak's clash with Essington at Doomben will prove a worthy guide to the sprinter's winter carnival claims.Sexton has been forced to start five-year-old Lucky Leak in Saturday's Davking Handicap (1350m) after missing the acceptance deadline for last week's Eagle Farm meeting."I had Lucky Leak in a Class Six Plate at Eagle Farm last week but I'm a hands-on trainer and I got a little too busy last week and overlooked the acceptances," Sexton said."It was my mistak

Trainer Pat Sexton is hoping Lucky Leak's clash with Essington at Doomben will prove a worthy guide to the sprinter's winter carnival claims.

Sexton has been forced to start five-year-old Lucky Leak in Saturday's Davking Handicap (1350m) after missing the acceptance deadline for last week's Eagle Farm meeting.

"I had Lucky Leak in a Class Six Plate at Eagle Farm last week but I'm a hands-on trainer and I got a little too busy last week and overlooked the acceptances," Sexton said.

"It was my mistake. I bungled it but as things turned out it was a heavy track last week so it hasn't hurt to miss that race."

Sexton has earmarked the Listed Weetwood Handicap (1300m) on his home track at Toowoomba on March 31 as Lucky Leak's immediate goal.

"If he comes through the Weetwood okay I'll let him tell me if he's up to the winter carnival," Sexton said.

"If the horse is fine I'll look at some of the better races during the carnival.

"I'll keep him to around 1400 metres but we're looking at the best horses in the country coming here at that time of the year."

Chris Munce rode Lucky Leak when the son of Iglesia led all the way to win in open company over 1350 metres at Doomben on February 19.

However, Munce has decided to stay with Essington who is on trial for a short Sydney campaign in the Group Two Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 26 and the Group Three Doncaster Prelude (1600m) at Randwick on April 9.

Sexton, who has engaged Bobby El-Issa, has a slight concern with Lucky Leak's 55 kilograms but hopes it will be offset by barrier one.

"I never chased Chris as I knew he'd want to stick with Essington so I've booked Bobby El-Issa to ride Lucky Leak," Sexton said.

"Bobby wanted to ride him in the Magic Millions Cup but I had already engaged Mark Newnham to come up for the ride that day."

Ironically, El-Issa won the Magic Millions Cup on Toowoomba sprinter Bold Glance with Lucky Leak finishing an unlucky seventh, less than two lengths away.

Sexton has warned Lucky Leak does not have to lead, as he did in his previous victory, despite his perfect barrier draw.

"When Chris led on him last time it was because there was a lot of trouble in the barriers before the race," Sexton said.

"Chris didn't want to lead on him but the horse got a bit fired up and wanted to go.

"All going well we should get the run of the race from his good draw but I'll leave it to Bobby to decide whether he takes a sit or goes to the front.

"Essington is the measuring stick in this race for us but he's drawn wide (12) so hopefully we can test him."