Pocketing may have only finished eighth in the ATC Australian Derby, but that placing doesn’t tell the full story of his extended campaign. Now gearing up for a new prep, the Richard and Will Freedman-trained four-year-old will trial at Rosehill on Tuesday over 900 metres.

The son of Grunt—himself a winner of the Makybe Diva Stakes and Australian Guineas—is being brought back gradually, with his team open-minded about his spring targets.

“He is going well,” said co-trainer Will Freedman. “He is going to find it tougher now that he’s a Group Two winner. He’s in good condition and working strongly, but we’ll be targeting races where he can get in light.”

Pocketing captured the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes earlier this year and returned just four days later to line up in the Australian Derby, achieving the same peak rating in both events.

“I noticed he was in the market for the Epsom Handicap,” Freedman said. “That would be a great result, but three-year-olds often find the transition to spring tough.”

He added, “We’re keeping it flexible. If he doesn’t quite come up, we won’t push him and may wait until the autumn.”

Joining him in Trial 9 at Rosehill will be Perfumist from the Bjorn Baker stable, who resumes following a strong campaign of four consecutive wins.

Punters considering a bet on Pocketing’s spring prospects can browse markets and bookmakers via this Australian betting site guide.