Cox Plate winner Shamus Award will take on the older horses again when he returns in the Group One C F Orr Stakes.

The three-year-old gained a Cox Plate run as the emergency after Atlantic Jewel was withdrawn and claimed a famous victory for apprentice Chad Schofield.

Craig Williams will ride the Danny O'Brien-trained colt who is scheduled to have a jump-out at Flemington on Friday in preparation for the weight-for-age Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8 at Caulfield.

The Orr is a possible starting point for the Robbie Laing-trained Victoria Derby winner Polanski who will also be nominated for another 1400m race on the day.

O'Brien said the Orr could be Shamus Award's only start before the Australian Guineas (1600m) in March.

"He's a colt and the Guineas is a very important race for him," O'Brien said.

"He's a pretty clean-winded colt and at this stage he'll only have the one lead-up run in the Orr.

"There's a chance that we could give him another run if we needed to in the Futurity Stakes a week before the Guineas.

"He looks sensational. He's furnished out and has thrived in his time down at Barwon Heads."

Another who has thrived at O'Brien's coastal property is Shamexpress who is returning to defend his Newmarket Handicap title via the Lightning Stakes.

After an unsuccessful English campaign, Shamexpress had two Group One starts in the spring culminating in a second to Buffering in the VRC Sprint.

"I'm very happy with Shamexpress," O'Brien said.

"He's also in great shape."

The trainer said the pair had galloped together at Barwon Heads last Tuesday ahead of their return to Flemington.