Winter carnival hopeful Perplexity is expected to be forward enough in condition to be competitive when he resumes at Doomben.
Perplexity and another winter staying contender Locks Legend begin their campaigns on Saturday, adding interest to the Hotel LA Handicap (1350m).
Trainer Chris Munce believes Perplexity, who won over 1400m at Kembla Grange when racing out of the Chris Waller stable, is a genuine hope in races such as the Brisbane Cup and Caloundra Cup.
“This is the start to his campaign and he hasn’t had a lot of time off. I gave him only four weeks in the paddock and he has come back with some residual fitness,” Munce said.
“Obviously he isn’t fully wound up on Saturday but I would expect him to race well.”
Munce said Perplexity had been a great asset for his stable, winning five middle-distance races.
Trainer Brian Smith, who won the 2015 Brisbane Cup with Jetset Lad, is looking to Locks Legend as his hope this year.
“Not many horses win five races in a row like he did last campaign. He has had a jump-out to be ready for this Saturday,” Smith said.
James Orman will claim 1.5kg, reducing Locks Legend’s weight to 58.5kg.
Trainer Liam Birchley is also looking to the winter with the promising Deconstructed who is returning from a spell in the Mater Dei P and F Handicap.
Deconstructed won four races in a row before a spell.
“He got out to 1600 metres last time and we would be looking at races of at least that distance this time,” Birchley said.
“But I hope he might get out to a middle distance and I think with his turn of foot he would be very hard to beat.”
Birchley also has Beckham in the same race.
“He is a free-rolling horse who would probably be better suited at 1350 metres. They might be too sharp for him at 1200 on Saturday,” Birchley said.
