By Warwick Barr

SYDNEY, Aug 30 AAP - Emerging four-year-old Star Of Octagonal has come through a weekend exhibition gallop in ideal shape for a return to racing at Randwick on Saturday.

"It was a perfect piece of work ... just what I was looking for," trainer Todd Howlett said.

Sitting outside smart three-year-old Testarhythm in a workout at Newcastle on Saturday, Star Of Octagonal gained the upper hand late in the 800-metre gallop, running the last 600 metres in 32.79 seconds.

"There were no trials on around the area on good tracks so a gallop between races was the next best thing," Howlett said.

Star Of Octagonal is being tipped as a horse most likely during the spring on the back of a five-start autumn preparation.

He graduated from a Gosford maiden win to Group Three success during the Australian Jockey Club carnival before signing off for the campaign with his triumph in the rich Scone Guineas (1600m).

Blake Spriggs has been booked to ride Star Of Octagonal in a benchmark race over 1100 metres at Randwick but Howlett said the leading apprentice was only keeping the saddle warm for Melbourne-based Glen Boss.

"Glen will be back on him after Saturday," Howlett said.

Boss rode Star Of Octagonal in the South Pacific Classic and the Scone Guineas.

Star Of Octagonal's immediate spring program includes the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 15 and the Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick on September 25.

Howlett said Star Of Octagonal's performances would decide if he progressed to the $500,000 Group One Epsom Handicap, the famous mile handicap race for which he is a $15 chance in first TAB Sportsbet markets.

"Even though he beat a restricted field at Scone he was stronger than any other horse on the line," Howlett said.

Star Of Octagonal is one of 21 nominations for the benchmark 90 race with his rivals expected to include promising galloper Commandare and Group One placegetter Fist Of Fury.