Rejuvenated former Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist is a 75 percent chance to return from Germany to contest this years edition of the race.

Protectionist was an emphatic winner in the race in 2014 but poor performances kept him out of the race last year. The move back to Germany seems to have rejuvenated the talented stayer with connections now looking at the Melbourne Spring as a target which would include a run in the 2016 Melbourne Cup.

“He’s absolutely thriving over there – he really loves it. Hopefully we’ve got him back to his old self,” Murrell told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN 927.

“It was more a mental thing for the horse, because he had that bone condition when he was here with Kris and things didn’t go right, so it was pleasing to see him let go.

“At this stage the plan is to come (back for the Melbourne Cup).”