Trainer Michael Lakey hopes to get a guide as to whether Risk Aversion is the real deal and a serious winter carnival contender when she makes her comeback at Eagle Farm.

Risk Aversion, who has been beaten just once in five starts, will make her return against her own sex in Saturday’s $100,000 Lyndhurst Stud Quality (1200m).

The four-year-old is a noted first-up performer, going down narrowly on debut in maiden class at Doomben last March before winning at the track last August.

“She’s got a good record first-up but it’s been in much weaker company than what she faces tomorrow,” Lakey said.

“This looks a very hot field.”

Lakey is yet to map out a campaign for Risk Aversion past the Listed Falvelon Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on February 25.

“I want to back her up in the Falvelon then give her a short break for the winter,” Lakey said.

“Sydney is not out of the question but I’d say she’ll probably stay here.

“It would be great to win the Falvelon but even if she’s placed she’ll have black type which will be great for when she goes to stud.”

Risk Aversion and her dam Subterfuge were part of a package of three horses purchased off Coolmore Stud by prominent owner-breeder John Hutchins, with the value of the trio well in excess of $1 million.

Hutchins won the Coolmore Classic in 2009 with his former star Typhoon Tracy and would love to repeat the feat this autumn if Risk Aversion can prove she’s worthy of a trip south.

Risk Aversion has a Group One pedigree with her half-sister Shania Dane placed at the elite level while her half-brother Scintillation won three Group One races in Hong Kong.

Lakey has given Risk Aversion, a Chris Munce mount, plenty of beach work and a barrier trial to prepare for her return.

“She’s been in work 11 weeks and has had a barrier trial at Deagon,” he said.

“She finished second in the trial and she hit the line strongly and had a big blow after it.

“I also gave her a jumpout at Doomben last week and and she’s been to beach work a few times.”

Risk Aversion put on some weight during her break from racing and Lakey is confident she may have overcome her early leg problems which delayed the start of her career.

“She’s still highly-strung but she’s into a routine now and seems to be over all her early problems to a degree,” he said.

“She’s grown a little since her last campaign and has put on some weight but she’s still only small.

“Last campaign she weighed 465 kilograms and when she came back into work she was 20 kilos heavier and now she’s down to 475 kilos so she’s still got some improvement in her.”

Ultimately, Lakey hopes Risk Aversion can measure up to the Group One Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.