Quality galloper Scissor Kick is nearing a racetrack return after a solid trial at Cranbourne.
Trainer Paul Messara has picked out the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield on February 27 for the son of Redoute's Choice to make his return.
A winner of four of his 12 starts, Scissor Kick hasn't raced since finishing 12th to Boban in the Group One Doomben 10,000 last May.
He was given a long break suffering bone bruising but impressed with his second placing to Lizard Island in Monday's 990m trial under Stephen Baster.
Messara did consider a start in Saturday's C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield but will instead give Scissor Kick another solid hit-out before his Futurity Stakes return.
"When he came back he did a lot of slow conditioning work to make sure he was very solid going forward," Messara said.
"He's never been better in terms of his soundness.
"His action is great and he should be in for a good preparation." Messara indicated Scissor Kick is likely to have just the one run in Melbourne before returning to Sydney for a possible shot at the Doncaster Handicap.
He said despite Scissor Kick's wins coming at 1200m and 1300m, he believes the four-year-old to be an ideal 1400m to 1600m type.
"We've never got as far as a mile, not because of anything but bad luck," Messara said.
"He was headed to the Randwick Guineas and got a temp before the race.
"He's been very good first-up at 1200 metres but at a mile he can be up the front dictating the pace."
Messara said a victory in the Futurity Stakes could force a rethink for a possible European campaign with the July Cup over 1200m at Newmarket a race that could suit.
"I think he's the type of horse that can do it," Messara said.
"You need a horse that can run a strong 1200m but be a 1400 metre to miler type for us (Australians) and he falls in that category."