As a Group One placegetter and a Group Two winner, Tarquin wouldn't have been out of place in the best three-year-old races during the spring carnival.

Instead, the Godolphin colt will make a belated start to his three-year-old career in the ClubsNSW Plate at Randwick on Saturday.

Godolphin spokesman Darren Beadman admitted Tarquin had returned at an awkward time of year after being forced to miss the better races due to a minor complaint.

"He had a little bit of a setback and John's hand was forced a bit to miss the spring with him but sometimes that can be a blessing," Beadman said.

"The breed tend to get over a bit of ground. While we missed the spring with him things are hopefully looking fairly promising for him as a late three-year-old, early four-year-old."

As an autumn two-year-old, Tarquin won the Pago Pago Stakes at his second start and performed creditably in both the Group One Sires' Produce and Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

Blinkers go on for the first time and Beadman says punters should expect to see a significantly more furnished horse.

"He trialled really well the other day at Rosehill and he's a real smashing type of colt," Beadman said.

"He's obviously a quality runner so we're just hoping he puts his best foot forward and has a good day out."

The Royal Blue colours will also get a workout in the Inglis Classic Sale Night Session Handicap in which the stable will run the resuming Barbed and Medcaut.

An enigmatic galloper, Barbed relishes firm ground and is at his most reliable first-up when he has won posted his three career wins.

The usually consistent Medcaut finished a long last for jockey James McDonald at his return last month but Beadman said he had a genuine excuse.

"He was outside the lead and travelling nicely and he got galloped on behind," he said.

"James thought something went amiss with him, that's why the horse had to barrier trial."

Godolphin's Randwick team of eight will also include debutant Astern who takes on Regimental Force in the opening race.

Beadman describes Astern as a no-nonsense colt and at $4.60 he is regarded as the biggest danger to Regimental Force who has opened the $1.70 favourite.