Tyler Schiller is eyeing his first Group race success of the new season, with the decision on Devil Night’s spring starting point set to play a crucial role. The Blue Diamond Stakes winner holds entries for Saturday’s Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill and the McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, with Team Hawkes to decide his path by Thursday evening.

Should the colt remain in Sydney, Schiller will partner him for the first time, marking another milestone in his comeback from a spinal fracture sustained in May at Canterbury when he was dislodged before the start of a race.

“The scans revealed a minor fracture that just required rest but I was very lucky,” Schiller said.

“It could have been a lot worse. If I’d gone head-first a lot more damage could have been done.

“I’m feeling really good. I’ve been back two-and-a-half weeks now and everything is going really well.”

After resuming at Doomben on August 16, Schiller was back in Sydney last Saturday, guiding Gangsta Granny to a close second behind the unbeaten Autumn Glow in the Toy Show Quality (1100m).

Now, he reunites with John, Wayne, and Michael Hawkes for Devil Night, who hasn’t raced since his game fifth behind Marhoona in the Golden Slipper (1200m).

Although he hasn’t ridden the colt under race conditions, Schiller has had valuable work sessions with him at home and remains optimistic.

“I’ve ridden him a couple of times and have jumped him out once. He is definitely an exciting colt,” Schiller said.

“He’s a Group One winner and he’s done his job but there is still plenty left in store for him.

“It’s hard to get a guide on him at trackwork. He is such a competitor that you don’t know how he’s going until race day but he has definitely got improvement in him and the Hawkes team is very happy with him.”

Schiller also links up with Chris Waller-trained Etna Rosso at Rosehill in the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m). Runner-up in the Brisbane Cup (3200m), the stayer is expected to shine later over longer trips but has previously raced well fresh.

“Especially the way a few of Chris’s horses are returning. Some of his stayers have been putting in big runs first-up,” Schiller said.

“If he gets the right run he will be hitting the line strongly.”

Punters keen to back Devil Night in either the San Domenico Stakes or McNeil Stakes can find the latest odds and promotions at leading betting sites.