Gippsland star Mr. Audacious ‘hits the big smoke’ for the first time at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

Mr. Audacious (Box 7) lines up in a Mixed 4/5 (515m) – Race 6, 7.58pm.

And Kilmany’s ‘Team Busuttil’ (Mark and Rachael) is hoping he won’t be overawed by the occasion.

It’s a much-anticipated metropolitan debut for Mr. Audacious, which has been as bold as brass on the provincial circuit – including claiming the G3 Warragul St Leger and reaching the G2 Shepparton Cup final after setting a new 450m track record (24.655sec) in a heat.

“He can come out running, but not consistently. However, he’d be hard to catch if he jumped well and found the lead.”

Since commencing racing, Mr. Audacious (Apr ’20 Beast Unleashed x Audacious Bell) has started 15 times for 12 wins and netted $70,447.

“He loves racing and he loves competition,” Mark said.

“But it’s a hot Mixed, we’re not overly confident… And he’s drawn badly because if you don’t come out well out wide at Sandown, you’re in trouble.

“He can come out running, but not consistently. However, he’d be hard to catch if he jumped well and found the lead.”

Mark added that Mr. Audacious had trialled twice in preparation for his litmus test.

“Two weeks ago, he hand-slipped post-to-post in 22.83sec with a 10.25sec ‘run-home’. And last week, he went 29.82sec out of the boxes over 515 metres on a wet track.

“But he lost his footing coming out of the first turn and never looked comfortable. He lost his confidence and never got balanced.”

WATCH: MR. AUDACIOUS (B5) defeats SALAD DODGER (B8) and KELSEY BALE (B7) in the G3 Warragul St Leger.

However, Mark believes it’s now time to give Mr. Audacious a look at the ‘city lights’ and is confident he’ll handle the extra ground.

“His long-term goal is the Melbourne Cup, if he handles Sandown, but next on the agenda is the Bendigo Cup.”

Pawnote: Despite being backed into $2.20 favouritism by punters, The Watchdog has tipped Mr. Audacious to miss a place, adding further intrigue to his city debut.