Bustler is primed for a big winter comeback, impressing in his recent trial at Ascot as he builds towards a return in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m).

The 2023 Railway Stakes winner looked sharp in his 1000m heat, unleashing a slick late burst to reel in Ain’t No Other Man. The trial win was a clear signal that the five-year-old is ready to bounce back after a winless carnival campaign last year.

“Bustler will front up in the Belmont Sprint, he won it two years ago as a three-year-old,” trainer Neville Parnham told TABradio.

“We’re really looking forward to this campaign, he had mixed luck and not getting a lot of favours in the Railway and other races.”

Parnham was particularly taken by Bustler’s recent effort, noting it as one of his sharpest pieces of work in memory.

“We’ve never had him as well as we currently have got him,” he said. “I thought he trialled super yesterday. He doesn’t usually trial that good and he was pretty sharp.”

For those looking to back Bustler when he resumes, keep an eye on leading betting sites for updated markets and odds.

Also catching the eye in the same trial was talented three-year-old September Born, finishing an encouraging third after a layoff.

“That day [in the WA Guineas] he pulled up with pretty severe bruising,” Parnham said. “But he’s had a nice break and has come back in good order.”

September Born is set to resume in a 1200m set weights and penalties race before targeting the 1400m Raconteur Stakes and the Belmont Guineas (1600m).