You don't often see an unraced trial winner pushed out that hard but it's a fair sign they mean business, with a three-year-old Newcastle colt on debut at Thursday's feature Gosford meeting.

Awesome Lad, by prolific I Am Invincible out of US mare Sensible Lady, steps out in a Provincial & Country Maiden Plate (1200m) for the Kris Lees stable.

After two quiet trials earlier in the year, Awesome Lad had another two either side of Christmas, and the slow-burning build-up looks on track. In his latest, the colt jumped well, surrendered the lead, but then charged along the inside, at times under the whip, to career away and win by a widening 2.23 lengths. Talk about getting him use to where the post is.

But two others runners are worth watching closely. His stablemate Captain Solo returns as a gelding and is drawn right alongside in a middle gate; while smart Gosford filly Divine Approach looks hard to beat second-up after flashing home resuming at Taree.