Trainer Kris Lees believes Pins On Parade is ready to strike in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick on New Year's Day.

Pins On Parade is on the fourth line of betting with TAB Sportsbet fixed odds at $5.50 for the 1100-metre feature.

The Con Karakatsanis-trained News Alert is the $3.20 favourite ahead of the horse who beat him last start in the Razor Sharp Stakes, Prince Braeman ($4.40) from the Paul Perry yard.

Clarry Conners' Dorf Command is next in the market at $5.

Five-year-old Pins On Parade is racing first-up in the Carrington and Lees has been pleased with the gelding's build-up.

"His two trials have been very good, particularly his last one," Lees said.

Pins On Parade showed plenty of speed when defeating Walking Or Dancing by 2-1/2 lengths in an 800-metre hitout at Wyong on December 22.

"He's a horse who races well first-up too, so I'm expecting him to go well, it's not the strongest Carrington I've seen," Lees said.

Out of the O'Reilly mare Burwood Road, Pins On Parade has a win and a placing from four first-up runs.

Friday will be his first day at the races since his seventh to stablemate Absolutelyfabulous in the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1300m) at Newcastle in September.

That day he was forced to work hard to cross from his wide alley, 11, before settling just better than midfield.

A start earlier the on-pace runner defeated Heart Of The Citi by two lengths in a 1200-metre race at Doomben in late August.

"He can be his own worst enemy at times by being a bit wayward and can hang out in the straight but he seems to be going better this time," Lees said.

Pins On Parade began his career with Danny O'Brien in Melbourne, winning three times from eight starts before his owners sent him to Lees.

The gelding has five wins and seven placings from 20 starts and has won over Friday's distance.

Pins On Parade has barrier six of eight and will be ridden by Tye Angland.

"The barrier won't be a problem, he'll be able to get into a nice spot," Lees said.

Meanwhile, the Australian Jockey Club has given Gai Waterhouse permission to gallop some of her carnival horses between races on Friday.

Among them is the outstanding filly and last-start Group One Flight Stakes winner More Joyous who will gallop with stablemate Viking Legend after race two.

Following race three, multiple Group One winner Theseo will take the next step towards an autumn comeback.

The six-year-old middle distance champion returned to Tulloch Lodge recently after missing the spring because of a hoof injury suffered in the Doncaster in April when he beat just one runner home.

Dual Group winner Dreamscape will have a pipe-opener after the first race.

Pictures - Quentin Lang

© AAP 2010 Published 31/12/09