Tavi Time will attempt to put a testing campaign behind him when he returns to Randwick on Boxing Day to defend his Group Three Summer Cup title.

The six-year-old has endured a trio of hard-luck stories this prep, notably bog-heavy conditions in The Gong (1600m) and a wide draw in The Ingham (1600m) that saw him settle too far back before hitting the line well.

“Things just haven’t been going right for him,” trainer Kris Lees said.

“He was a bit luckless in the Big Dance. The rain came before The Gong, and he stepped slow in The Ingham. He is running off good sectionals but to no avail.”

Eleven horses will line up for Friday’s feature, headed by Estadio Mestalla and ATC Derby winner Major Beel.

Tavi Time made a major step up when winning the Summer Cup last year, later adding the Scone Cup and finishing runner-up in the Lord Mayor’s Cup. He carries an extra three kilos this year but Lees insists the gelding is right on track.

“He goes back to 2000 metres, which he hasn’t been to since last year’s win,” Lees said.

I’m Imposing is the only horse to win the Summer Cup twice since 2003.

Lees elected not to accept with last-start winner Kind Words, who will instead contest either the TAB Handicap or Gosford’s Group 3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes.