The prospects of missing the ride on Mourinho in the PB Lawrence Stakes was all the encouragement needed for Vlad Duric to return a winner at Sandown.

Duric had been sidelined since early June after injuring a shoulder in a trackwork incident.

Having his first back at the return to racing at Sandown on Wednesday, Duric guided Mr Wonderful home in the Schweppes Handicap over 1400m.

Duric won the Australia Stakes first-up at Moonee Valley in January and was aboard Mourinho through his entire autumn campaign.

The gelding resumes in the Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15 for Darryl Blackshaw as regular trainer is Peter Gelagotis sidelined following a three month suspension incurred in May.

"Mourinho's running next Saturday and they hunted me up," Duric said.

"They said if you're not ready we'll get someone else to ride him first-up, so I thought I'd better have a race ride beforehand.

"I'm blowing a bit and I'm a little bit big, but I seem to go good fresh and it's good to get the monkey off the back early."

Duric said he will travel to Euroa on Thursday to ride work for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig at Lindsay Park before having a further three rides at Pakenham on Friday, but will be without rides on the weekend.

"I'm too heavy," he said.

"I can't ride under 58 (kilograms), but hopefully I'll be a bit lighter by next week and then I'll keep working on getting the weight off."