As he gears up for the spring with his talented team of young horses, trainer Peter Snowden is also looking forward to the racetrack return of faithful servant Pinwheel.

In a stallion-making operation such as Darley there is not much room for older geldings with Offenders, Parthian and Skytrain among those recently retired from racing.

A million dollar plus earner, Pinwheel injured a suspensory ligament during the Group One C F Orr Stakes in February but has recovered and Snowden is hopeful he has more to give.

"Pinwheel is back in work and the signs are good that he has fully recovered from the suspensory injury," Snowden said.

"He is starting to do a bit of pace work and I'm hoping he will be ready to trial in about three weeks.

"He is a lovely old horse who has handled his rehabilitation well and who knows, maybe there is a Group One for him."

The most recent of Pinwheel's 12 wins was almost a year ago when he beat Secret Admirer to defend the Group Two Warwick Stakes (1400m).

While there is a constant changing of the guard at Darley, Snowden says every effort is made to find the retired horses the right sorts of homes.

"We give them away to people who want to use them as show horses and the like," he said.

"They are used to being worked and to being pampered in the stable so they need something to do and make great show horses.

"(Group One winner) Erewhon is one who is doing really well as an eventer."

Among the younger horses getting ready for the spring is dual Group One winning juvenile Guelph who will be aimed at the fillies races.

Snowden has yet to determine a program for Pinwheel who has claimed nine of his wins over 1200 metres.