Growing Empire is gearing up for a return to Sydney for the first time since his notable performance in The Everest, with his team optimistic about his chances on a circular track.

The three-year-old has raced in three straight-track events at Flemington since his strong third-place finish behind Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick in The Everest (1200m) last October. This weekend, he will tackle a turn in the The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill.

Johann Gerard-Dubord, assistant to trainer Ciaron Maher, believes the change in track configuration will be pivotal as the colt aims to rediscover his best form after a couple of underwhelming runs in Melbourne.

“His first run was forgettable. The conditions were windy, and the race didn’t suit him. He made a few errors, and there were several factors at play,” Gerard-Dubord said, reflecting on Growing Empire’s performance in the Lightning Stakes.

“He improved in his second run (in the Newmarket Handicap), but I think he’ll excel even more around a bend.

“This week, he’s back on a turning track, and he’s fit and ready to perform.”

Growing Empire will be one of three runners for Maher in The Galaxy, alongside the talented mares I Am Me and Estriella.

Estriella will need to improve after a disappointing run in last month’s Oakleigh Plate (1100m), where she was positioned wide and at the back. Meanwhile, I Am Me rebounded from her unplaced effort in the same race to finish third behind Jedibeel in the Challenge Stakes (1000m).

“She was much better in her last start,” Gerard-Dubord said of I Am Me.

“It was a tough ask, with only two weeks between runs, the travel to Sydney, and the drop from 1100 to 1000 meters.

“Despite that, she clocked strong sectionals and now steps back up to 1100 meters.”

Unbeaten three-year-old Private Harry is the $3.20 favorite for The Galaxy, with Growing Empire leading Maher’s trio as an $8 chance.