Rick Worthington knows this preparation with Sainthood is important.Not just for the prospects of the talented gelding who resumes in Saturday's Missile Stakes at Randwick, but for the trainer himself.Sainthood, a winner of two stakes races last preparation, has returned a more focused horse and Worthington believes he is in line to produce his best preparation yet this spring.Worthington said his job as the trainer was to get things right."This horse has got ability so if I handle things correc

Rick Worthington knows this preparation with Sainthood is important.

Not just for the prospects of the talented gelding who resumes in Saturday's Missile Stakes at Randwick, but for the trainer himself.

Sainthood, a winner of two stakes races last preparation, has returned a more focused horse and Worthington believes he is in line to produce his best preparation yet this spring.

Worthington said his job as the trainer was to get things right.

"This horse has got ability so if I handle things correctly he could go to another level," Worthington said.

"I need to show my worth as a trainer too. My plan is not only this horse going to another level but he can help me and our stable to another level.

"It's very important and we need to get it right."

Sainthood was put away after winning the Listed Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) in early May and has had two barrier trial victories ahead of his return in Saturday's Group Three event over 1200m.

It will be the five-year-old son of Lonhro's first weight-for-age test.

"I'm very happy with how he came through his win at Wagga and how he spelled," Worthington said.

"He's come back in and is more switched on. He knows more of what it's about."

The Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 2 is the race Worthington is aiming Sainthood at this campaign, but the trainer is also keeping his options open for a trip to Melbourne depending on how the gelding performs in Sydney.

Rod Quinn, who rode Sainthood in his two barrier trials last month, will be aboard in the Missile Stakes.

Quinn partnered Sainthood's illustrious father Lonhro in seven of his first 12 starts for six wins and a second, including five stakes victories.

Sainthood was installed as a $16 chance with TAB Sportsbet on Thursday with last-start June Stakes winner Love Conquers All the dominant $1.65 favourite.

Group One winners Danleigh ($4.20) and Sniper's Bullet ($9.50) were next in the market for the season's first weight-for-age feature.

Sainthood is yet to win first-up in three attempts but has performed well enough in lesser company with two placings when resuming from a spell.

Worthington said Sainthood wasn't fully wound up with a long campaign ahead but expects the gelding to be hitting the line well over the shorter distance.

"I'll be looking for him to be doing his best work late and if he happened to get up and win or be right in the finish then that's fantastic," he said.