After enjoying a well-earned break, high-class stayer Torranzino has returned to Paul Preusker’s stable with the Tancred Stakes looming as a likely autumn target. The Tarzino gelding has been freshened since his outstanding fifth placing in the $10 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Preusker initially planned to give Torranzino a maintenance preparation without racing before turning attention to spring, but the gelding has come through his spell so well that a short Sydney campaign is now on the table.

“He’ll start work Monday and then we’ll just sort of plot away,” Preusker said at the weekend.

“I was happy to just put a prep together and go nowhere and spell again, but he hasn’t lost much.

“He’s in a good paddock with a couple of mates, so I think he’ll come up alright, and I suppose it’s now just a matter of whether we poke away in Sydney for a little bit.”

The 3200m of the Sydney Cup is unlikely, with Preusker preferring a more measured assignment.

“I’ll probably leave that alone and maybe a Tancred or something like that, just a light staying race, and we’ll see what we can do.”

The $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on March 28 fits that profile perfectly.

Torranzino enjoyed a breakout spring, highlighted by victory in the Geelong Cup (2400m) and a game second in The Bart Cummings (2500m).

With six wins and nine placings from 34 outings, the gelding continues to reward a loyal ownership group.

“They’re all up and about, they’re a great mob of owners – most local people, although there’s a few scattered around – but they were just appreciative to get there and whatever happens is a bonus now.”