Victory has eluded El Pensador for nine races and approaching 10 months, but Rex Lipp is positive about prospects at Ipswich on Monday.

The So You Think son looks to leverage a fine comeback in the second-to-last event, the Seven News BM68 Handicap (1350m).

His return third placing at 1400m Eagle Farm on April 8 represented the five-year-old’s first top-three since July’s win at Ipswich, confirming to Lipp his strong comeback.

“Last preparation I just had a few little niggling things from after he came up from Melbourne,” Lipp said.

“It took a while to sort him out, but he seems to be back on track now.”

Lipp boasts all three of El Pensador’s wins from 20 starts, post two defeats with Tony and Calvin McEvoy in Victoria.

Future plans include 1800m for the horse, with the 1350m opener no bother.

“I wanted to give him another run over the 1350 before I step him up to the mile,” he said.

“He’s going to run a mile, even 1800 this horse, but I just want to get him right.”

Arcelia, another from Victoria, makes her second start for Lipp in the second race Great Northern Maiden Handicap over 1200m.

Having raced thrice for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the Japanese mare heartened with third over 1100m at Gatton April 10 on yard bow.

“It’s taken a while to get her right, get her balanced and get her going,” Lipp said.

“She went to Melbourne, so we’ve had to get her going the other way, but I give her a good chance if everything pans out OK in the run.”

From draw eight, Arcelia carries 1.5kg claim from Corey Sutherland, as Angela Jones handles El Pensador in barrier 13 (12 sans emergencies) among 16 runners.

Find the top sports betting options and betting markets for the race at Ipswich.