It has been 16 months since Wild And Proud controversially claimed the scalp of Group One winner Manawanui in the Hobartville Stakes.

While new David Pfieffer doesn't claim to have him back in that vein of form, he thinks the four-year-old is poised is to return to the winner's list for the first time since he was awarded the 2012 feature race on protest.

Formerly prepared by Gai Waterhouse, Wild And Proud will have his sixth run for Pfieffer in the McGrath Mitsubishi Mile (1600m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday and his trainer is confident he is inching towards another win.

"I made a few gear changes and his last few runs have been solid," Pfieffer said.

"He is getting to the mile and seeing his form start to turn around has been very appealing.

"On paper, this is a race that looks winnable. It's a small field, it's his home track and he's a horse who is improving more and more."

Wild And Proud was placed in the Phar Lap two starts after his Hobartville win.

He also finished third in the Bill Ritchie Handicap last spring but was sold after midfield efforts in the Epsom Handicap and Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

At his first two starts for Pfieffer, Wild And Proud was beaten a total of more than 20 lengths.

It was an unhappy start, so Pfieffer tinkered with his gear and fitted the gelding with a tongue tie.

"As soon as he got that on he showed good improvement," Pfieffer said.

Wild And Proud has finished midfield at his past two starts, the latest when he made ground for seventh to Merlin Mustang over 1500m at Rosehill.

Two other gallopers who started their careers with Waterhouse, River Of Salvation and New Day Rising, will line up for Pfieffer in the Share Care Respite Sprint (1200m) but both need a drying track.

The trainer, who is hosting an open day at his Warwick Farm stables on Sunday, will also have an interest at Doomben where he will start Inside Job in the sixth event on Saturday's card.

AAP TURF mc/w