Jason McLachlan believes he has Facile Tigre in the best shape of his career as he prepares for another tilt at the Group One Oakleigh Plate.

Facile Tigre finished a close third to fellow Queenslander Woorim in last year's Oakleigh Plate and McLachlan believes he can improve on that performance in this year's renewal.

"He was beaten a short half-head and a head in it last year and I'm rapt with the way he's going in his lead-up this year," McLachlan said.

"If you look at his form he goes good fresh and that's the reason I set him for the Oakleigh Plate first-up."

Facile Tigre had a lengthy break after failing in the Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm in June, missing the spring carnival to concentrate on autumn carnival assignments in Melbourne.

The six-year-old is also entered for the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9, a race he finished 15th in last year following his Oakleigh Plate placing.

Brad Rawiller, who is nursing a broken foot after a barrier incident at Terang last Sunday, is expected to recover in time to ride Facile Tigre in the Oakleigh Plate.

McLachlan was impressed by Facile Tigre's comfortable win in an 850m barrier trial on the Sunshine Coast Inner Track last Monday.

"He travelled well away from the fence because the track was a bit soft but he won under a hold and did just what I wanted," he said.

Magic Millions Guineas winner Saluter will return to McLachlan's Sunshine Coast stables later this month to be aimed at the winter carnival.

Woorim continues to please his trainer Robert Heathcote as he prepares to defend the Oakleigh Plate and will be flown to Melbourne on Tuesday week.

If Woorim wins the Oakleigh Plate he will become the first horse since Dual Choice in 1971-72 to win the famous Caulfield sprint in consecutive years.