A pre-race collision with a kangaroo proved costly for Art Delago at Port Macquarie but it's been all systems go for the four-year-old gelding's return to Taree on Tuesday.

Owner-trainer Tony Green fancied Art Delago first-up at Port Macquarie on January 13 but the son of Al Samer went under by a short neck to Hidden Woman over 1100m.

Green explained the unusual circumstances involving the errant kangaroo.

"We sometimes have a problem with kangaroos on the track at Kempsey," Green said.

"He was out for his final gallop and hit a kangaroo. Normally they go one way or the other but this one didn't move.

"Art Delago went down on his knees. Fortunately the track rider pulled him up but that was the end of the gallop. I reckon missing that extra bit of work cost him winning at Port."

Art Delago steps out in the Saxby's Diet Ginger Beer Class 3 Hcp (1270m).

Due to the gelding's topweight of 58kg, Green has engaged three-kilo claiming apprentice Masa Haga.

"I put him in a Class Three to try and get a bit of weight off and he ends up topweight. I can't figure it out," Green said.

"The handicapper must have a good opinion of him is all I can say."

Green bought Art Delago after seeing him as a yearling in a paddock at Carin Park in Victoria.

The lightly raced gelding has managed two wins and three placings from eight starts and has won over 1600m.

"I've been careful with him, nursed him along. He's a bit wrong in the front legs," Green said.

"He's a lovely horse to do anything with.

"Immature as far as his body is concerned, he's lightly framed but he's got good ability.

"His biggest problem is he's a four-year-old with a two-year-old's mind."

Art Delago has won over the track and distance of his Taree assignment.

"Everything has gone just nicely since Port, just as you'd want it to," Green said.

"We've been a bit hampered with rain but the horse is going to Taree better than he was at Port Macquarie."