Dual Group One-winning galloper Solzhenitsyn showed he had recovered from a throat operation with a solid trial win at Doomben on Tuesday.
Solzhenitsyn won the past two Toorak Handicaps at Caulfield but has not started since running an inglorious last behind Boban in the Group One Emirates (1600m) at Flemington in November.
The gelding has since had an operation for a wind problem and trainer Rob Heathcote is confident Solzhenitsyn is ready to again show his best.
“The bottom line is he has now had a jump-out and a trial and won both,” Heathcote said.
“It shows the oxygen is getting through and that he is ready to race.”
Solzhenitsyn will make his return to racing in the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 26.
He will then chase the Group One Brisbane sprint treble of the BTC Cup (1200m), Doomben 10,000 (1350m) and the Stradbroke (1400m).
Solzhenitsyn ran fifth behind Linton in last year’s Stradbroke on a disrupted preparation.
Meanwhile, Brisbane trainer Dan Bougoure is aiming smart two-year-old Oakleigh Girl at the $500,000 Princess Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 19.
Oakleigh Girl, who ran a creditable sixth in the Golden Slipper, could then have a run during the Brisbane winter but is more likely to be saved for the Melbourne spring.
