Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip is set for his first run since his victory in Australia’s great race at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained stayer is down to run in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Gold Trip will be joined in Saturday’s race by Emissary who finished two lengths astern of the Melbourne Cup winner last November.
Cup winning jockey Mark Zahra will again be aboard Gold Trip in his first-up attempt.
Zahra said Gold Trip had been progressing well ahead of his return, adding he would like a bit of rain before the Peter Young to enhance his prospect.
Showers are forecast in the Sandown region on Saturday, but are not expected until later in the afternoon, early evening.
Zahra partnered Gold Trip in his second trial when the stayer finished second to Persan over 1550m at Cranbourne on February 6.
“Let’s hope the track is not too firm,” Zahra said.
“There could be a bit of rain about on the day, which would be great.
“His second trial was great, and I went and worked him on Monday morning.
“He’s coming along really well this prep.
“He’s got a long prep ahead of him, but he won’t disgrace himself.”
Gold Trip has been entered for the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley on March 18 along with the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
He has been afforded topweight of 59.5kg in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April.
An interesting acceptor in the Peter Young Stakes is Melbourne Cup third placegetter Il Paradiso who has been off the scene when tendon injuries.
Il Paradiso has not raced since finishing third to Vow And Declare in the Melbourne Cup of 2019 and following that race was transferred from Aidan O’Brien to Chris Waller.
After a second tendon injury, Il Paradiso was then transferred to current trainers Maher and Eustace.