A close-up finish by Malavio in the Expressway Stakes has convinced his trainer he is ready to take on Sydney’s weight-for-age stars again.
After 10 months away from the track, Malavio finished fifth of 11 in the Group Two Expressway (1200m), less than two lengths from the winner Weary.
He lines up against a similar field in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick with Steve Englebrecht as happy as he has ever been with his stable star.
After he was eased up in the Hawkesbury Cup last May, Malavio was found to be suffering cardiac arrhythmia and has been closely monitored since.
Englebrecht admitted he was nervous about the horse’s return in the Expressway but his condition since last Saturday week, had eased his fears.
“He pulled up sensationally,” Englebrecht said.
“To finish as close as he did after so long away shows he has earned his place among these horses.
“Christian Reith rode him work on Tuesday and said he had improved again from last week so I’m really happy to hear that.”
Weary is among nine Chris Waller-trained entries for the Apollo with Bagman, Beaten Up, Foreteller and He’s Your Man also nominated for the Group One C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
Waller’s other Apollo entrants are Boban, Hawkspur, Junoob and Opinion.
Englebrecht has nominated Malavio for the $3 million Doncaster Mile on April 4 but is not convinced he runs a strong 1600 metres.
He has Brisbane’s premier race, the $2 million Stradbroke Handicap in June as a target. This year the race will be reduced from 1400 to 1350 metres because of its switch to Doomben.
Malavio has won up to 1500 metres and finished eighth in the 2014 Doncaster, 8-1/2 lengths from the winner Sacred Falls.