Xidaki’s flat form through the autumn and winter had Peter Snowden scratching his head, but the champion trainer believes the gelding has turned a corner and is back to his genuine self.

A proven performer at three—including victory in the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m)—Xidaki later finished top-three in the Silver Eagle (1300m) and Festival Stakes (1500m), and was competitive finishing midfield in The Ingham (1600m).

However, when he returned in the late-autumn stretch earlier this year, he was unable to produce his usual finishing burst in four runs, prompting Snowden to cut the prep short.

“Last prep wasn’t him at all, so I only gave him a few runs and stopped,” Snowden said.

“I brought him back in, that was his first run the other day and that was much more like him.”

Xidaki resumed with a strong closing third behind Brave One on The Hunter undercard, losing momentum late when tightened for room.

His next target is Saturday’s Festival Stakes (1500m), where he jumps from barrier four—a low draw Snowden believes gives him the right platform.

“His first-up run at Newcastle was great. He ran third and got blocked for a run with ten metres to go and he might have even run second,” he said.

“He hit the line very strongly over 1300 so the 1500 shouldn’t be an issue.

“He’s got a great barrier. No weight on his back. He’s got a good rider (Rachel King). He will be competitive.”

Touristic, his stablemate, also resumes in the race after failing to gain entry to The Gong (1600m). He is expected to benefit from rising in distance later in his campaign.

This year’s Festival Stakes has drawn a 20-horse field headlined by last year’s runner-up Robusto, with the race serving as a crucial lead-up to The Ingham (1600m).

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