Smart sprinter Northern Meteor is being set for a return to the straight Flemington track in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap in March.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained colt broke two course records in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for the spring carnival, where he won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

Waterhouse sent Northern Meteor , whose sire Encosta De Lago also won the Coolmore, to the paddock and he is now back in work and being aimed at the Flemington feature in the autumn.

“He looks fantastic and in great order but will step up his work when Gai gets back this week,” Goree Stud's Andrew Baddock said.

“His aim is the Newmarket in Melbourne. Gai is very keen to head down there as he's won down the straight. He may have a run down there, possibly in the Lightning or Oakleigh Plate, then he'll come back to Sydney.”

The Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) is also down the straight at Flemington on January 31, while the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) is at Caulfield on February 21.

The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) is at Flemington on March 7.

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