International Group One-winning sprinter Green Birdie has been confirmed for a Sir John Monash Stakes start after completing a jumpout without incident on Tuesday.
Eight-year-old Green Birdie has returned to Australia after being based in Hong Kong with trainer Caspar Fownes since his three-year-old season.
Now in the care of trainer Tony Vasil in Melbourne, Green Birdie will kick off his campaign in the 1100m Listed weight-for-age sprint at Caulfield on Saturday with Damien Oliver to ride.
The sprinter hasn’t raced in Australia since his fourth in the Group One Ascot Vale Stakes (now Coolmore Stud Stakes) in November 2006 when trained by Brian Jenkins.
“He’s running and Damien Oliver is riding him,” Vasil’s racing manager Sam Doran said.
“He did enough (in the jumpout).
“There’s no prizes for winning trials but he did enough to show he is forward enough to run on Saturday.”
Green Birdie’s biggest win came in the 2010 Group One KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore when he defeated the local hero Rocket Man.
He last raced in Hong Kong on International day in December and has been with Vasil for the past three months building up to his return in Melbourne.
“He’s a very good horse, a Group One horse at the back end of his career,” Doran said.
“We’re hoping he’ll be competitive in the early spring races.
“He’s going to run in this race and then all going well he’ll go to the Bletchingly Stakes.”
Green Birdie is among 25 nominations for the Sir John Monash which includes fellow Group One winner Eagle Falls.
