Essington will start at a much shorter quote than the double-figure odds offered when betting opened for the B&D Technologies Maiden Plate (Race 2 at 1.35pm AEDT) at Ballarat this afternoon.

Essington (3g Redoute’s Choice – Besame Mucho by Encosta De Lago) was also nominated for Moonee Valley on Friday night but owners Lloyd and Nick Williams elected to start him at the provincials today.

The Robert Hickmott trained 3yo hasn’t been seen at the trials but his appearance in the mounting yard will tell whether he has been topped off in private at Mt Macedon.

Essington cost $150,000 at the 2008 Inglis Easter yearling sale when offered by Princes Farm.  He is by champion sire Redoute’s Choice and is the first foal of Besame Mucho who won the G3 Research Stakes at Rosehill and the Listed Nivison Hcp and P J Bell Hcp at Randwick.

Besame Mucho is a sister to Gold Lottey, a G3 winner of the Vanity Stakes at Flemington and the Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley.