Woorim has shown he is on target to defend his Oakleigh Plate title with an impressive display in an exhibition gallop at Doomben on Saturday.

Trainer Robert Heathcote was delighted with the way Woorim finished off the gallop when he partnered stablemate St Andrews in an 800 metre hit-out.

The pair finished on terms at the end of the work-out running 34.18 seconds for the last 600 metres with sizzling sectionals of 22.25 (400m) and 11.13 (200m).

“I was happy with that because he needed a good hitout and I asked the boys to roll from the 1000 metres and quicken a second every furlong (200m) and give him a good solid last 400 (metres),” Heathcote said.

Woorim was ridden by Damian Browne who will be aboard the gelding in the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 23.

The seven-year-old will be striving to become the first horse since Dual Choice in 1971-72 to score back-to-back wins in the Oakleigh Plate.

Woorim missed the spring carnival with a tendon injury but has pleased Heathcote with his progress this campaign.

“We’ve given him a long spell and with horses of his age when they have injuries it can be a blessing to have that time off,” he said.

“It gives them rehabilitation time as well for other problems and this horse has had hoof issues all his life but his feet are as healthy as we’ve had them in twelve months.”